A few weeks ago we had our graduation ceremony. There was social distancing, and no handshaking, and masks but we were together and in person. It was the first time we had been altogether as a senior class, on the last day. The tears, the joy, the pure appreciation of being together as a community will stay with me long after this year passes. I was able to say goodbye to my seniors, many of whom had been with me since my first day at HSHMC, as their 8th-grade literacy teacher. One of my favorite things to do is take photos of student caps. I love the tradition of decorating caps, it allows students to share that final message, synthesizing the day in their own way. I created this short video highlighting some of the memories we created that day. Sometimes there are just no real words that can express emotions. So enjoy the smiles you see in everyone’s eyes, the pure joy, hidden, but not suppressed by masks.
Fast forward ten days later. I am writing this post in my new office, at a new school, in a new position. I have spent this year in Covid reflecting on what makes me happy. I have spent the past few months once again pursuing leadership positions. It has been three years since I became Dr. Ilko, and I have wanted to find a school and a program where I can use my research and my skills in coaching and leading to create a special place for students and staff to thrive. This interview process for leadership is not for the faint of heart. Regardless of what you hear in the media, the competition for these jobs is fierce. I have grown a lot this past year, both as a writer of applications and letters of introduction, a videographer of the one-minute elevator pitch, and the dreaded one-way video interview, and the Zoom interviews with panels of faces, given thirty minutes or less to share your passion, drive, and willingness to learn. I have had many rejections, a few near misses, and more than a couple of applications that went into the great abyss, never to be heard from again.
But I kept at it and kept looking. One great thing about COVID was my ability to step back and evaluate what I want when I return to an educational site. I have loved my experience at HSHMC, but this year, having the opportunity to coach and to view so many classrooms from the outside, I rekindled my why. I have loved my opportunities to coach students in their senior year, but there was a nagging feeling, that if I could go back and have an impact on students earlier in their career, that I could make an even greater impact. Following these students for the past five years, I realize the impact we have as educational leaders on students over time. They have grown so much, and so have I. Being in an administrative role means I want that impact always, the chance to see a group of students through years of their instruction, not just one. I wanted to be part of their early literacy journey, to inspire voice and passion at an even younger age. I wanted to partner with teachers not for months, but for years. This vision has driven me these past six months, as I continued to apply for administrative positions once again.
So about a month ago, I discovered an opening at a small K-8 charter school called Howard Gardner Community School. I drove the neighborhood. I wrote several versions of a cover letter, and I knew from the moment I submitted the application that this role was worth fighting for. Instead of getting ready to answer the same 10 leadership questions, I created a presentation of my vision for literacy coaching and learning. I spent the first half of the interview sharing that vision. I continued to envision myself here, and followed up in different ways, always seeing myself walking through this door. So today, is the first day of what I know will be many at Howard Gardner Community School. I love this community already. I love seeing the students here in summer programs. I love hearing the passion of the new director as we talk about what the future will be. I love the staff and teachers I have already met, and I can feel already, that this is my new home.
There is a lot of work to be done. The hours will be long, and the days filled with new challenges. But I am finally fulfilling that promise I made to my mom, and myself three years ago when I graduated as Dr. Ilko, that the work would not sit on a shelf, but instead would change lives. I had to take a pause, to catch my breath, and then find the right position that literally takes my breath away. So today, we begin. My life will always be a journey, and this new chapter, is unfolding just as it should, and I am grateful.
