On Presidents Day, we pause to reflect on the leaders who have carried the weight of our nation’s highest office — from George Washington, who set the precedent for peaceful transfer of power, to Abraham Lincoln, who led through division with courage and moral clarity.

While few of us will ever sit in the Oval Office, each of us understands the responsibility of leadership.

Every day, school leaders make decisions that shape communities. You balance budgets, respond to crises, support families, guide instruction, feed children, move buses safely, and ensure that every student has an opportunity to succeed. Leadership at any level requires integrity, steadiness, and a commitment to something larger than oneself.

Presidents Day reminds us that leadership is not about title — it is about service.

Thank you for the quiet, consistent leadership you bring to your schools and departments. The work you do matters deeply to students, families, and the future of our communities.