Chapter 18: The Intentional Gardener

In 2013 when sharing my commitment to enroll in Western University’s Doctor of Education (EdD) program, superintendents and colleagues expressed their shock. They shifted in their chairs or long pauses were sensed over the phone. They were interested to know why I would attempt a rigorous three-year, expensive, on-line program while just having recovered from cancer, working full time as an elementary school principal, and maintaining a full family life. I explained that I didn’t want to sit around anymore while other people told me what to do and how to think. I shared that I wanted to investigate how school principals manage their leadership adversity with resiliency strategies. I wanted to create a legacy of encouraging, supporting, and inspiring the next generation of school leader to cultivate their belief in education and improve student learning.