ABSTRACT
Two years ago, as I embarked upon my fourth year as an elementary school principal, I still believed in that age-old adage . . . it’s lonely at the top. When you hear something repeatedly it seeps into your psyche and you begin to believe it’s true. Fast forward to today, that phrase is no longer part of my belief system. In fact, what I know to be true is that it can be lonely at the top or any other rung on the ladder . . . but only if you want it to be. Choosing to be isolated on an island as an educator – principal, teacher, counselor, director, instructional coach, superintendent – is just that – a choice. We all have the power to choose whether we work in silos, or go beyond the four walls to become connected to those who can elevate our thinking.
