Just about five on the Fellowship clock

The air's chilling, my roommates are donning long johns... it's winter-time in Chicago [to the tune of 'Silver Bells'].

And with winter's chill comes ample time for reflection. With reflection, our minds naturally turn, at first, to the individual moments that remain lodged in memory.

night time walks to the gym, shortening the stride to account for the sheet of ice on the sidewalk


fun and Fellow-ship in a Thanksgiving potluck feast


the Salvation Army post on State & Washington, who has just begun to ring his bell


the screech of the El, hopping on at rush hour, and being informed, there's a train directly behind us, so feel free to stay a minute more, and delay your descent from Downtown


sipping a drink with the mentor, discussing the finer works of Jane Austen, J.R.R. Tolkien... and Michael Crichton


sifting through research [flip from Acrobat to the Word, and then to the notepad by your side, and back again], making sense, connecting pieces of the puzzle, and alternating between trying to tell a story, and informing the reader of what's there


All this is to say, it's been pretty good so far.

One of the things that I'm learning while in education is the importance of systemic reform. At Advance Illinois, we're not infrequently using that term. It's taken me a little while to figure out; now, I liken it to a juggler trying to keep plenty of different balls in play. The red balls? That's making sure the state's educators are effective: strengthening preparation, evaluation, certification processes; working to make sure teacher performance plays a greater role. The yellow balls? That's setting expectations high and giving appropriate support: what are the expectations for a child entering kindergarten? The blue balls? That's encouraging innovation and accountability: can we measure conditions for learning throughout the state, and not just in Chicago?

The key is the juggling, the multi-tasking, the synchronizing. There's no silver bullet, no magic initiative. You've got to keep all of those balls in the air at once.

I suppose that's applicable to life as a Fellow in a new city, as well. Work. Friends. Routines. The future. Life itself is its own juggling act, as well, keeping all of those priorities in order... keeping all the balls in the air.  Maybe next month, I'll add another ball to the mix. (I don't yet dare try to go behind the back.)