We are back on the playground with another head of school, or in this case, Director of Schools, plural, for the Cranbrook Educational Community. Talking to Jeff, who not so long ago led the accreditation team for Wheeling Country Day School, was a glimpse both into the past and future. With a history as a regional education leader and affection for none other than Mr. Rogers (another unexpected theme popping up in these Walks), as well as his penchant for what he calls 'continually interrogating and reinterpreting' practices, even ones misunderstood to be traditions, Jeff embodies what the modern school can be. He sees potential in open space, opportunities in mistakes, and a responsibility to take an active leadership role in the greater community.

Cranbrook, located in greater Detroit, is a living, breathing example of the ever-evolving 'neighborhood' Fred Rogers spoke of for so many years, with its publicly-facing spaces, reimagined...well, everything, and its potential for sharing in the greatest responsibility of all: the growth and education of children.

What a place.

#MeetMeonthePlayground #Leadership #Parenting #LearningDifferences #Education #Inspiration #GENed #Cranbrook #MrRodgers #FalkSchool #Campus #Outdooreducation #CommunityEducation #PlaceBasedEducation #ModernEducation

Today we talk Kaizen, good change. One percent better.

It's a gentle and accessible philosophy that can be applied to nearly every aspect of personal and professional life, which is ironic, considering it was born out of the post-WWII capitalist boom. The difference between Kaizen and most other business philosophies, however, is its focus on modest, incremental improvements instead of splashy results or 'big-bang' takeovers. It's about process, not policy, and certainly not perfection. And the beauty of Kaizen is how it can apply to each of us in our own way.

So sit a little straighter today. Maybe walk a little farther. Believe in yourself a little more. Support your students a little better. And then do it a little more tomorrow, and a little more the next day. Before you know it, you're changing your small part of this big world. Kaizen.

Next week, we return to our regularly scheduled programming with a new addition to our Meet Me at the Playground subseries. We'll also continue with extra videos and episodes and some fun ways to say thank you as we round this special project into home.

Thanks, everyone. Keep walking.

#WalkwithMe #WalkwithLiz #GENed #Parenting #Leadership #LearningDifferences #Inspiring #Kaizen #OnePercentEveryday #Philosophy #Japan

As Liz mentions regularly, today's Walk is based around a topic she has long struggled to feel comfortable discussing unless around those who have experienced the same. It's also a story that, in large part, feels like the one we didn't know this project was building toward. So with that in mind, she walked with five others who share an invaluable bond that each wishes the other didn't share: child loss.

Sometimes, the flowery language and the perfect caption just aren't necessary. There aren't 'right words' and searching for them often leaves the recipient more frustrated than they began. So in the immortal words of Ginny Delaney, 'Shit. That sucks.' And to those out there dealing with a similar, isolating feeling, you're not alone. We hope this small community can offer you the slightest glimmer of light.

And finally, a sincere thank you to Jessica, Jon, Amanda, Chris, Mark, and Liz, for the time and the stories.

#WalkwithMe #WalkwithLiz #GENed #Parenting #Leadership #LearningDifferences #Inspiring #StillBorn #InfantLoss #Grief