Rosalba Gonzalez Rodriguez has been in education for 20 years. She started as an instructional assistant at the district she is currently a principal at. Rosalba started her career in administration as an assistant principal in 2019 months before the pandemic begin. She promoted to principal in 2021. She has been at her school site now two years.
Dr. Michael Conner
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening and welcome to another episode of Voices for Excellence. I am your host, Dr. Michael Conner, CEO and founder of the Agile Evolutionary Group, and also, as you know, proud host of VFE. And today, we are making history. What I mean by making history is we have the first active principle that is going to be live on VFE. And my approach is trying to differentiate different leaders right from the various sectors within the education ecosystem. We’ve had, you know, researchers, university professors, education leaders that are entrepreneurs. We’ve had super tennis chief of staff, but now we want to differentiate and bring it to the instructional level. So I’ve asked many, many leaders across the country, specifically in California, who’s the principal to go to, who should be the first principal and multiple of our common sisters kept on saying one name. And I’m like, All right, I see you’re on Twitter all the time, waking up at 330 in the morning, getting the word out in one of the national leaders. But more importantly, she is an instructional leader that has changed instructional culture comprehensively. She is the principal of Castle View Elementary in the Riverside Unified District. And also I’ve seen her around. I’ve heard her speak. She’s just a dynamic individual. So this is the of this show, the official first act of principal to come on VFE. I would like to introduce to you Ms. Rosalba Rodriguez. Ms. Rosalba Rodriguez, welcome to VFE.
Rosalba Rodriguez
Thank you for having me. I’m curious which sisters… I’m so excited. Thank you for for sharing.
Dr. Michael Conner
Trust me, we got our sisters. Sandra, Rosa, I’m telling you, those leaders, you know, they identify, you know, some of the best, best up and coming leaders. And Ms. Gonzalez Rodriguez, you are that name of California to be the next, quote unquote, superintendent and be. So thank you for being on. Glad to have you bring your perspective here.
Rosalba Rodriguez
Well, thank you. Oh, no pressure right now for pressure for the future. But I’ve connected with so many women that have encouraged and been so positive in my life. And it has been the true I say upgrade, right, Because it’s been so many great women that just through I feel like even osmosis just hanging out and just hearing them and just picking their brain and then just learning from them is it’s been it’s been an amazing adventure for sure.
Dr. Michael Conner
Absolutely. And glad to have you on here. So there’s absolutely no pressure. But you know, there’s no pressure to you anyway. I see your workouts in the morning. Absolutely. So. And this gazelle, Rodriguez, this is going to be a really fun show. All right. So just enjoy some questions. Go. All right. Go off the radar. But I promise you we’ll bring it back to you. But the first question you are going to absolutely love, I can’t wait to hear your response to this specifically. I might get a little psyche into you. What is the actual music you listen to while you work it out? But you are a recognized principal, obviously, in the state of California, but also recognized as a national leader in this country. But when you’re within your school community, right, when Ms.. Gonzalez Rodriguez is a Principal Rice, she’s engaging with her families daily. She’s engaging with community members and constituents, her staff, but more importantly, her students that engage with her every day when they see. What is your equity song that defined you and what song comes to mind when your community encounters your leadership under Ms. Gonzalez Rodriguez?
Rosalba Rodriguez
One of the one of the songs that I’ve even told my staff, my very first staff meeting where I was looking around my staff and I knew that I’d be leading them and that the chorus is always like Kelly Clarkson song for a moment like this. It just and I told them and they all laughed. You know? But for the most part, I do like the song by Pink. Today’s the day. And just to remind me, every day is a new day and just to pump me up. And so when I’m there with my families and trying to keep it positive, no matter what kind of morning I’ve had or afternoon or whatnot, they deserve the very best of me. And so I hit reset even day by day, moment by moment. I hit reset and then smile, wave and keep my head up so that I could be the very best, you know, leader. During my workouts, though, I am pleased to be having hip hop, but primarily nineties, nineties, hip hop too, too early. Very, very early. 2000, everything, anything after that. I probably age myself because I have no idea as to who or what. But from Tupac to to Biggie to, to to PD or Puff Daddy or Diddy, whatever it is now that we say. So that’s the kind of style music I like to work out to, just to get my mind right for the morning.
Dr. Michael Conner
Absolutely. Now I’m a nice hip hop guy, too. And you know, you’re from the West Coast. You said Tupac first and then Biggie. You know, I’m from the East Coast. We say hi to a band that is great. But when you think about your song, what Today is the day, right? You know, you make that transition from working out, you know, and listen to pop the big band now and transition it into today is the day. Wow. Right. Because you’re getting yourself motivated for the day. But then to carry out that every day is a new day, right, for your students, for your families, and also how you’re serving within your community, within your community, as well as your community members. But let’s take this back. Right. And I want to I want to chat. I want to challenge you because you have challenged the traditional norms in education for a while now. I like to say the backstage of education that’s in alignment to my book. But moreover, you’re more intentional with your stance regarding gender equity in education. This kind of goes back to the outset, right of your introduction of today’s episode. You’re beloved by the masses. Trust me, you are. We engaged with the same people. You are beloved. But how did you create a learning environment? Your learning environment, right? A castle view that is rooted in excellence equity, in being culturally responsive in the AC stage of education. Because when I think about you know, when I was a superintendent and with my principals, right, for them to have that triangulation between excellence equity and having this culture responsive lens, that’s tough to achieve, right? Kind of like in this parallelezation of all three. But based off of your leadership and based off of the the various perspective that respect you in the state of California, how did you create that and how are you going to continue that, any stage of education?
Rosalba Rodriguez
Well, that’s something I’m still I’m still working at also because this is my second year at my school. And so but from from day one, I shared my story with my staff. I shared my upbringing. I’ve shared being a part of a single income home, single mother, English language learner. So I started my my career here with my staff, sharing a little bit about myself. And then I, I peeled off layers, so conversations and then bringing it back. This year was a real impactful year because I shared a little bit more about my story with my staff. And we have in my community, we have a percentage of students that get passed in from because of boundaries and whatnot. But I live I work in a very beautiful, you know, community. And then I have students that get dropped off here. And so any time that it has, any time that has to do with either labels or anything about inclusivity, I make sure that I bring it back to my decision making, to staff as to, well, how are we going to support our students and moving forward? How is that going to benefit or impact our students? A lot of the times in education and I’ve only been out of the classroom for four years, so I, I could still really much connect with educators and people in the classroom because it hasn’t been ten years since I stepped foot in the classroom. The only thing that I have not done is to virtually me and taught with a mascot. That’s the only thing you know, other than that, like I was step by step with every classroom teacher. And it is very challenging that time because with classroom teachers you only know your four walls and the only, you know, the only impact that you think you have is those four walls. But then it’s a big ole entity that the principal sees. So it’s making sure that but that what I’ve learned is making sure that decision making is very open. And then also there is input from from every every staff member and then also with parents making those those relationships with the parents and having having them a part of it, too, but making sure that we give the credit to staff so that they’re the ones that they’re the ones in the classroom, they’re the ones that are, you know, impacted the most. And so it’s just bringing it back to the kids. And that’s that’s pretty much what it’s been. How are we going to, you know, support all of our students.
Dr. Michael Conner
And. Ms. Gonzalez Rodriguez, I’m just writing down your thoughts or, you know, stating this. But Ms.. Gonzalez Rodriguez you bring up a really important right. And if we want to create inclusive culture within our schools or inclusive cultures, within our schools, we have to have input from our constituents as well as students. And you have done a great job. I know you’ve been active with trying to receive feedback constantly feedback, whether it be from staff, students as well as your families outside you. Now, this is kind of like a sub-theory question, right? How did you create that inclusiveness by a voice and agency of your community? What does that look like in practice from the principal all the way down to the classroom and to your community members have in their strategic input for decision making?
Rosalba Rodriguez
For me, it’s worked out to be very visible. I might drop off one parent. We just had a lunch on the lawn on Friday and he’s like, you know, he stopped by. He’s like, Thank you so much for always being front and center. And I said, Oh, thank you for noticing. I really appreciate that. And I really did appreciate I give the best compliment that somebody could have given me. I’m front and center. And so whether I’m at supervision for recess, lunch duty or just walking through classroom was walk through informal observations or just hallways or stepping into the allowance to just chit chat with with whoever is there and making the time or, you know custodial supervisor is classified and certificated. It’s it’s been really important that I’m still building the relationships because it’s been it’s only been two years. So trust and building their relationship has really been supportive by my visibility in the classroom, out of the classroom and and most importantly on the playground with my kids.
Dr. Michael Conner
Excellent. Excellent. And what I love is that, you know, the lunch on the lawn, I you know, I well, I tell you, I wish I had that strategy because of that. It’s awesome to have lunch, which are parents on the lawn of the school and be able to listen. Right. Listen to your parents. Listen to the feedback, how to improve the conditions of students as well as families. Good job with that and the focus on instruction, too. But I’m going to go off to somewhere that is completely, completely, completely off of school environment, off of instruction, you know, of of alignment with culture. And we’ll talk about self-care. Yeah. You know, I had a bring it in on my let you know now I am a man, Mr. Gonzalez Rodriguez You get me motivated, I’m telling you. So I’ll tell you this this because I was Rodriguez Some of my Kobe quotes come directly from some of your quotes as one might. She got me motivated. I’m ready. I’m fired up. But awesome. If you get me fired up, you’re getting the masses. Your followers are fired up about fitness. Right? But more importantly, self care and mental health. Right. Are very important, as evidenced by you being one of the national leaders in education. But how do I know that you’re serious about this? I’m telling you, this is my audience. She got a gym in her house and she’s crushing it. It is crushing it. So I’m telling you, you have to find work. I’m getting back in there. The weather shade. I’m getting back in there. Don’t worry about. But what is your definition of success with individual wellness goals? Right. And for my listeners today that finally get to engage with you, would a vice do you have regarding exercise, self-care and healthy living to sustain the changes and the challenges that we’re facing in the education ecosystem? Because we need to be healthy in order to be healthy for our students in our family. So would a vice would you provide my audience?
Rosalba Rodriguez
I think balance is a very important thing. I know that it’s always talked about finding balance, finding balance, but it’s being intentional with that balance. So for me, I do wake up at 330 in the morning, Yeah, I’m tired here and there, but at the same time, my whole like my whole entire family, except for my teenager, sometimes we are in bed by eight. So we we are in bed by eight. I have my alarm set to 730 storytime with my little one and then setting the alarm. So then it’s 8:00. We go to bed. That way it’s like clockwork. And one of my cousins once told me, she’s like, You’re like a creature of habit. And so it’s creating first I was like, No, not I could. I could be unstructured if I wanted. I could be spontaneous. But I’m not. I like I like building habits. And it’s important to build those habits. Yeah, because it it was really hard. When I met my husband seven years ago. He was the one that started that was working out early in the morning. And so, like, you’re crazy. How do you wake up that early and so that I started trying it out and then I realized I have the rest of the day to do whatever it is that I wanted because I started my day with working out. And then when Kogut hit March 13th, we closed schools here in California and we were looking for equipment like around March 10th or so, cause my husband’s like, you know, I think I think we’re going to be closing down or something’s happening. He he also works for the state of California. So, I mean, and so we started looking into getting just different parts of the gym equipment that we needed. They didn’t get delivered till probably almost like April, May. And so but since then, we’ve been building it. I haven’t been into like a gym building in a very long time. And so knowing that I have that, I can, you know, on the weekends it’s a little unstructured so I can go in and work out whenever. But but just making the time for yourself. Because when I when I know, when I don’t work out, I even feel groggy. I don’t feel at my very best because I made that routine for me. But I mean, some people do yoga, some people go to Zumba, some people dance and find other ways to just outlet to release all that tension. But it’s really just checking in with yourself and then making those habits as to taking breaks. I take my lunch every day at 1:00, Monday through Friday, unless there’s an emergency. I take my lunch and I eat with my noon supervisors here at campus and we check in with what behavior or anything else that’s changed. But I do sit down to eat and I take my 15 to 25 minutes. I know some people that that don’t eat all day long, but then you’re tired. I got to eat. I have to, you know, so I’m hydrating and I and I take my small little lunch by and lunch I prepare my meals on the weekend so that I’m ready for Monday through Friday.
Dr. Michael Conner
Yeah, Yeah. And, you know, I’m a I’m a creature of habit as well, Right? And I I’m a former former college basketball player, so routine, routine, routine, systematic every single day. But you get into that mindset in that mind frame. So you followed that the civic routine. And I tell you, you know, checking in with yourself and building habits. I mean that those are two strategies I think that can just be applied not only in just, you know, whether it be working out self-care, it can be applied to life, right? Just establishing those routines and being able to have that consistency. But 330 in the morning. Right. Let me just give you context. For all my East Coast people, some people have a hard time waking up at 630 in the morning, Right? Some people have hard time waking up at 630 in the morning, 330 in the morning every day. Listen, 330 in the morning. Our time, 12:30 p.m. their time. So listen, Mr. Gonzalez Rodriguez, I tell you, you are a motivator, right? A motivator for people that watch you and that engage which you thank you for that, because I wanted that to really come out with regards to self-care and taking care of yourself. Well, that wellness piece. But what really resonated for me, I got to check in with your self and you make time to eat every day, you know, and I really want to stress this as we get into before we get into the next question, we speak during the day. Please hydrate during the day. Those are two critical elements with regards to wellness, right? Some people say we don’t have time to listen. I get it. Being a principle, a practitioner superintended. I was at every single level. Yes, I understand. And there were days where I would not eat and that is not healthy. Please find some time to eat. BURNETT Day Educators. We know how hard your academic day is. We know how you know structured the day is. We know how unpredictable the day is. But please find the time to eat. Thank you for that, Mr. Gonzalez. RODRIGUEZ But being a principal in the stage of education is an arduous task. I listen, I know what you’re going through right now, even in the context of catching kids up from COVID, right. That you’re still experiencing. But our sector has experience, whether it be severe teacher shortages across the country, barrier to compete in demands that have to be implemented at the site level. Yes. Ms. Gonzalez Rodriguez. I was a superintendent. I know what needed to be. You don’t have to say no more. But when you think about grounding a strategy for high quality instruction to to be normalizing, coupling all of those, you know, high demands where you have to make it, you know, normalize with a high degree of consistency, reality right. When we talk about plie in instructional strategies that are differentiated and build in teacher capacity to do that, that is an arduous macro task. But like I said, you know, you you stated it from your last answer. You know, have we checked our practitioners, Have we checked on our staff? We know you have. Right? But have we seen that consistently across the country in the AC stage of education? Have we really recognized that you built that culture in your school right at Castle View? So we have, you know, instructional leaders. We have features that are part of the VFR audience. So what you to now to do is including instructional coaches as well as site based leaders beyond the principal level, what strategies, right, or what device do you have to give those leaders or even teacher leader practitioners. Right. Will work directly with our students who work directly with other practitioners side by side. How do you display empathy and what does empathy look like in the stage of education? And you as an instructional leader, how do you create a culture of empathy?
Rosalba Rodriguez
The very first meeting that I had with teachers, I just asked them just a little bit about, you know, the school and what they loved about the school, what they wanted to continue seeing. And then I left it open to them as something they really wanted to share with me. So I took all of those comments and, you know, conversations to heart. I tried my very best to check in. My day is very busy and I’m a very fast pace at the same time. So being intentional about checking in, just popping into meetings or just lingering between where where were teachers are at and then what building empathy is really trying to put myself in their shoes as to how to come back from all of the setbacks we’ve had and then at the same time is helping them see what great educators they are and building that efficacy and then being alongside of them and making sure that they know that we are on the same team. I’m on your team cheering you on and been understanding when it comes to family matters, being understanding when things, you know, come up and trying to provide that support and then just just being there to just have that open dialog so that they can come to me and then I could support them with whatever it is that’s going on, whether it’s seen us in solitary things with classrooms and really building systems in place here that supports them just and then modeling to as to what I like for my students and modeling. So like if it’s sending them during spring break a little postcard or any any time there’s a some way to show them appreciation with a little, you know, a little Easter egg that says, great, excellent, you know, teacher any, any way that we can find a little bit of fun also because we we just have to take those deep breaths and then provide a little fun for them or something that says, like, I see you and I’m right there with you.
Dr. Michael Conner
Yeah, you know, a little appreciation. Right? And I want you to elaborate on that, Ms.. Gonzalez Rodriguez Because you articulated that so eloquently with regards to appreciating your staff. Right? And I’ve been here a universally right, whether it be East Coast, whether it be West Coast, whether it be, you know, down south and some of the southern states where you hear this consistent macro theme of not being appreciated. Right. Can you just elaborate on that or just extend on your answer with regards to appreciation? Because I just hearing that word frequently. Right. And, you know, you explain what it looks like, but just go a little more in depth. So our our principles here know that our teachers are certified, staff are site based leaders, instructional coaches are our custodial staff, our cafeteria step that they feel appreciated.
Rosalba Rodriguez
I think it’s the good old fashioned saying thank you, thank you. And whenever something’s done, thanking them for that out of out of nowhere, just a message checking in and just even text message because some people aren’t uncomfortable, are comfortable with a conversation or hey, how are you doing group messages with, you know, with grade levels, funny little meetings. That shows the humor side of me. Also for we had like the teacher teacher of the year and they they got to select their own teacher of the year. I got little sashes for those that were not even for the ones that were nominated. So that, you know, it’s not just the teacher of the year. I’m just also remembering what it was like to be a teacher. And I’m pretty lucky that it was four years ago that I could still remember just the little things that my, you know, my principal did for me. She used to put little Post-it notes on my desk whenever she walked through, or I would come from a weekend and there was a Post-it. So I do those kind of things to take the time walking through with a with a coffee cart or dressing up like Santa and then passing out donuts or like for our next this coming Friday, we have like a precast pancake for planning for teachers. So before we start our state testing, we’re going to give them a little pancakes. So just finding way, looking on Pinterest, Pinterest, to see, you know, any any engagement piece or any celebratory thing for for staff so that they feel that they are appreciated.
Dr. Michael Conner
Absolutely. And well-stated. Well-stated because two words mean can mean a whole lot in a person’s day. Thank you. Small gestures of of of kindness. Right. Of appreciation. That could be is is a magnitude of that on individuals in a school community because I remember when I was wow and this Gonzalez degree is like I remember when I was a teacher fourth grade everybody. Now there’s a misnomer out there that I taught a school history. Right? Every no, I did not teach high school history. I am an elementary school teacher. Okay. But I remember, you know, whether it be those nice gestures that, you know, my principal used to do or, you know, a thank you coming in on a monday that just rejuvenates you and you’re just exemplifying how culture each strategy. So continue what you’re doing. Ms.. Gonzales Rodriguez your teachers appreciate that. So now I want to get into this innovation piece, right? Because you’re an innovator, right? You know, you have been you’re closely connected to the classroom, really understand classroom instruction, really understand how to build systems. I heard that word. You build a systems within your school, which is great. You know, a lot of principals, right? When we think about was mandated from central office. You know, it’s just, you know, kind of like this implementation as it is, but you have to implement it into a system in the context of the culture. You recognize that. But we know that innovation is being underpinned and discussed. Right? And many education spaceships, which is great, right? Because I think that is the ultimate level set for equity and excellence. So being the first principal on VFE, right? So from your lens as a principal and love hearing this because I’ve been hearing the definition of innovation from superintendents and executive leaders, researchers, even, you know, people at, you know, universities, right. Defining innovation. There’s no really one definition of it. And we really don’t hear the individuals. I say the most important individuals, you know, to our students, which are our leaders at this at the site base level and then also our teachers, because why superintendents? We know this. We are too far away, right? We’re too far away from being hands down or hands on with what’s going on in our schools today. So that’s why I want to hear the perspective of your definition, Ms. Gonzalez Rodriguez Of innovation, because your innovation consists of empowering teachers and staff to look at pedagogical innovation in the context of equity and excellence. So what is your definition and what does it look like?
Rosalba Rodriguez
I think for me, and I never thought that I was innovative until I realized when I joined Twitter that that that’s what I like to do is connect with others that are doing something that’s cutting edge, something different. So I got my district, we have STEM. And so right away, when I became a principal, I reached out to those that did stem so that they can come and train here and then give us that support. And we were just recently putting together a garden, a peace garden. And so researching as to how does it support social, emotional, so that there is a why to it, why are why are we putting a garden here or why are we continue to do that? And then just any way that I could interweave any research or any articles that I posted, my newsletters, anything that’s that’s new because that’s what students that’s how our students get engaged, especially because they are so used to being virtual. And then we’re we’re not taking them away from the virtual world. We’re now mending and putting together because we could still do all of those tech tools inside of the classroom. But then also we can do all of the in-person. So we could still and then also letting our educators know, you know, we were virtual at one point. We are not saying goodbye to all those edtech tools because we can still use them for innovation in the classroom and because they’re used to that, they’re used to from kindergarten on, they were used to that screen. And so how can we continue to to use those tools and then engage all of our students? And even I mean, I know it sounds silly, but even tick tock, right? There’s all these these videos just recently there is a video of this this teacher and she use a lip smacker with a different flavor or scent. And she would put a little dot on on their kids. And then the kid love the scent. So even things like that. So I thought, I’m like, oh, I’m going to get my my primary teacher’s lip smacker. So I gave them lip smacker and I showed them the video like, oh, so just things that we know kids like and then surveying them as to what they like so that we can continue to keep up the pace with the little ones because they’re the ones that are going to benefit.
Dr. Michael Conner
I love it, you know, And yes, we can find new innovation on social media right? Please, let’s spell that, that misnomer right then and there, because you find some effective strategies to be able to get students engaged. Right. The key word is engagement, innovation or engagement. But what I really loved, Miss Gonzalez Rodriguez, was how you really democratize eyes that the eye tools during the I like the CDC stage of education can be a continuation and the AC stage of education using them as strategic tools to advance learning. And then also the innovation coming from the students. Right. Being able to survey students to see what their likes are and how their engagement strategies address addressing their specific modalities. Very, very, very critical for innovation. And one thing that I really, really like about you, Mr. Gonzalez Rodriguez, is you want innovation come from your stakeholders and your constituents. It does. It come from you, right? And you use that empathetic approach in order to drive innovation through your constituents as well as your students. So thank you for that. Principals and some my superintendent friends are going to get mad at me when I say this gave the principals autonomy so that they can be able to innovate in their schools, but they will stay structure to the curriculum. Don’t worry about it. They will find creative ways to innovate. We have some really creative principals that are out there creating dynamic learning conditions for kids, so please let them innovate. Defined autonomy. My fellow colleagues. Yes, that hybrid between structured and unstructured, but they’re coupling one. Another Last question, Ms. Gonzalez Rodriguez I just advocated for every principal there. I’m probably going to get some bolt walking right after this. Ms. Gonzalez Rodriguez, Last question. Now, some people stay in the realms of this. Some people just take it and just run with it. Then you have the innovation and creativity built into it. Three plus and a phrase. So as I speak to every every person that come on this show, take it how it is, okay? I’m not the one to try to limit an educator to three words, but what three words do you want today’s audience to leave with regarding reaching what you strive for? Or in the stage of education? This includes eradicating gender, racial and student group inequalities, right, Or inequities that are rooted in our schools today. So what three words should our audience, our principals, our teachers, certify staff, or even when given a message up to superintendents and cabinet leaders? Right. What are the three words that they should take away about reaching or while being intentional, bold and unapologetic?
Rosalba Rodriguez
I would say dedication, courage and heart. That last word hard. You have to be all in. And so using your heart and just giving it your all corazon in Spanish, but just leading with the heart, just going in there. And because it’s what drives all the passion that you have for, you know, for our students and for education.
Dr. Michael Conner
Oh, you you’re going to play in the rules. There are 3 hours waiting. I kid you not. Right. This goes out. I was waiting for you. So I go on and I’m sitting here with my pen and you just start. I’m like, Oh, we got a move forward. Oh, yeah. So dedication, courage and heart. But I loved how you expand on our being all just leading with the heart. Now, this is a new for me, a new one for me, because I think that is critically important, right? We have to guess before that talked about love, right? Leading with the heart. Love, right. What is just leading with the heart? What does that look like? Just expand on that.
Rosalba Rodriguez
Well, for for me, it’s because of my whys, right? So just going back to why I became a classroom teacher. And for me, it wasn’t like, oh, I want summers off. I’m going to be a teacher or Oh, what’s what can be kind of easy, What looks easy? Or teachers have fun. I’m going be a teacher. It was something that I actually made a decision to do when I was in seventh grade, and every decision making I’ve made since then has been about that. And so for for me, I could say that it’s been my heart because it’s all I’ve ever thought about. It’s been I’m a teacher. I’ve been a teacher. Yes. My, my cousins and siblings. Yeah. I was teaching them when I was playing school. And so for me, it’s my heart for giving back to what was given to me. And so it’s just having that that love for educators and love for the classroom.
Dr. Michael Conner
Absolutely. And my rationale for you expanding on that is because we are in a critical juncture in education, right, where we’re educating Generation Z and Generation Alpha. And there are going to there’s going to have to be radical shifts. And these radical shifts, yes, there’s strategic by nature, but our leaders need to be able to read with their heart, Right. We need to be all and we have to ground our why and lead with empathy and lead with our heart. Ms.. Gonzalez Rodriguez, thank you for stating that right, because I think that, you know, superintendents, leaders, right. You know, we get caught up with the day to day. We get caught up with, you know, our board. And, you know, sometimes I think that we can forget that. Yeah, we know we got to lead with our heart, but sometimes it can be hard to display because we get all that every which way. So I hope that the leaders that are listening to this audience that we continue to lead with heart and the stage of education and make sure is is infiltrated into our schools where our leaders, our staff and our practitioners and our families know that, yes, even though we’re here, we’re leading with the heart and we’re supporting leaders so they become instructional leaders to continue the vitality and the change in the stage of education. So, Ms. Gonzalez Rodriguez, you know what I’m about to go do? About to go get a word out right now. Oh, there you go. Without feeling it. Thank you so much for being on VFE! I truly appreciate it. The first principal on VFE. Congratulations.
Rosalba Rodriguez
Thank you. Thank you for having me. Thank you for the invitation.
Dr. Michael Conner
Absolutely. And I can’t wait to watch Rise right, Because everybody. This is the next superintendent coming. Trust me, I might. You might not see it next year. You might not see two or three years. But trust me, you will see her on the stage. And I’m going to be like, Look, I told you, you’ve got to start a year. So thank you, Ms. Gonzalez Rodriguez. And on that note, onward and upward everybody, have a great day.
