tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314680638837412377.post84321002246136320..comments2023-07-04T02:00:40.336-07:00Comments on ISU Ed. Leadershop: Educating BIG in Small CommunitiesDr. Ryan Donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06206899286665144757noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314680638837412377.post-30092136080596360682012-06-20T15:46:48.995-07:002012-06-20T15:46:48.995-07:00I picture what is described as Mayberry-esque utop...I picture what is described as Mayberry-esque utopia. For the above to happen, the small community must be open-minded enough to explore the options presented. Understand, I do not disagree with the above, but for an exploration of what we can become in our small-town schools to occur, the community and school board have to be open to receiving it.<br /><br />Yes, making the community feel welcome and preserving its history in the school is a wonderful idea, but there is a delicate balance of preserving history and allowing that preservation of history to become empowerment/entitlement. I am a product of small-town schools and have been an administrator in only small-town schools. Dr. Gruenert will have to forgive me as I share personally, that I have seen some small towns do this well and others have let the community become too empowered and too entitled. <br /><br />It takes just the right building and more importantly, district leader, to be able to juggle the nuances of leading in a small-town. If that can be done, then I think there is a shot at preparing our youth for a big life inside their small town.Nicole Singernoreply@blogger.com