The School Code ... A Start
First post basics. And, my Why.
Turning pages
In 1998, I graduated from high school. Three years later, in 2001, I was a teacher at that same small-town high school. It’s odd, looking back. I didn’t like school and was unremarkable, … so not entirely sure why I returned. Honestly. Providence, probably.
“Teacher” might be a big word for that job … as my classroom was a former food storage closet. It could hold about 10 people at a time, packed uncomfortably. And, most of the time, my 80 students were packed in there. 10 at a time, uncomfortably. Bell rings. Another 10. They did not have IEPs, but needed help. In a school of 500, 80 were like this. I was told “help these kids get through” and given the keys. Not much else. But these were good kids who struggled with school. Three years earlier, I was one of them. So, this job made sense to me. I liked it. But, the pay sucked. Something like $15/hour and at least 5-7 years away from a principal job I actually wanted … so, I turned the page and wound up in law school (a story for another day).
A month into law school, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. So, that was sort of a problem. I liked the law. I could see the system below the system for the first time. The operating system. The code. I was fascinated by all of it, but I just dreaded the idea of billable hours and didn’t like most of my ultra-competitive classmates who were the academic stars in their schools. It was not my tribe, and I needed a way out.
At the same time, I hedged my bets. I was getting a Master's in Education Leadership (without licensure, as I lacked the required teaching years) because the Principal job still made the most sense to me. Providence again, perhaps. I had a teacher there who taught school law. It was just one class. But, that was my way out and back to teaching. So, I turned the page again to a PhD. At this point, my wife was getting annoyed at this.
In 2008, I caught the luckiest break of my lifetime (Providence?) when I was hired at UK. In this job, I was a teacher and I taught law … to future principals (imagine an angelic choir singing in my head). My students were all teachers who cared about kids, like I did. They were curious like I was. They put people ahead of profits. It was, and continues to be, my sweet spot.
But, at UK, I didn’t stop turning pages. The best part of my job is that it can be many different kinds of jobs. So, I keep turning pages. Blogging. Publishing. Online program transitions. A high school build. A Center. A dual credit program. Director of Graduate Study. Department Chair. Pages and pages. All stories for other days.
Another Page, Again
For most of the last decade, I’ve been in a leadership position either in the College or at the high school. People I love and respect tried to convince me I should have been a Dean. I was close to that, actually, at one point. Those jobs pay hundreds of thousands per year. To a first-gen kid from southern Illinois … it’s enticing. To leave those doors open, I needed to say less. So, I did.
But, it’s not me. I’m a teacher. I was on that very first day walking back into my high school. I still am now. And, teachers need voice.
My Teacher Voice
Teachers always have a lot to say. I’m no different. We are impassioned … by Providence, probably. Coming out of some leadership roles and coping, as we all are, with 2025 … my Teacher Voice is returning. So, this is an outlet for that. It just comes to me. A lot. Poetry. Paintings. Short stories. And, writing. For the last many years, I’ve kept a lot bottled up. That was selfish and wrong, and I’m sorry. Worldly temptations silenced my voice. My Catholic upbringing should have taught me better.
So, that’s it. This is my Teacher Voice. And, I mostly want to talk and teach about the systems below the systems. They are built on layers of code. Code crafted by generations before, with all of their failings embedded. The work I enjoy the most is laying down new code for better systems. Sometimes, that’s making minor adjustments to existing systems (high school semesters instead of years). Sometimes, that’s building new platforms (dual credit). Sometimes, it is defending the ones we have now (professional educators). There is a lot from which we can have a dialogue and learn together.
Those 80 kids packed into a closet pushed to the fringes are never far from my mind. If you have spent time in school, you know the kids. Smart, but not that kind of smart … in a system designed to segregate the “smart” kids. It doesn’t need to be that way. We can do better. Together.
So, this Platform & What to Expect.
So, I’ll keep this Free. Substack is cool because it values authors and readers and lets them decide the compensation. If you value this effort, first … subscribe (see below). I’ll post something about once per week. Keep it meaningful and concise. In my own voice, of course. And, comment. Or share. Or tell me why I’m wrong. Seriously. I’m a lawyer … I like a good debate, and I promise to listen. The fun part is the dialogue. My job is just to prompt, as a teacher.
Beyond free, you can also pass along value by working with our Center. Or buying the book. Or inviting me to speak. Or, whatever makes sense. The tab at the top has links for how to connect formally.
Thank You
If you are reading this at all, and certainly if you made it this far … I’ll assume you share a passion. That passion might have you as a teacher, a board member, an administrator, or a parent. But, “school” (as a thing) is important to you. And, for that, I thank you. Excited for our journey together.