In addition to being an excellent listener, the secretary is a tireless worker for the improvement of our schools. Three of us met with the secretary in December to suggest a topic for the speech, and then I was invited to a small group meeting to seek information about issues that he would include. It's not unusual for several of us to read and react to ideas and issues during the process of writing the speech. Lots of hard work goes into that speech. It isn't just something off the top of his head.
Principals face many important issues now.
Picking just one would be difficult. We don't have enough time for our own families. We struggle with the changing nature of our jobs. We're held accountable for the achievement of our students yet some of us don't even get to select our staff. The complexities of the job of the principal can be overwhelming.