This will not be your typical New Year's resolution post promising to lose 20lbs, give more to charity or adopt a pet.  Although I find resolutions fun, well-intentioned and noble, I prefer to set goals regularly and live according to my values on a daily basis.  I believe actions speak louder than words, and would recommend that instead of resolutions we list what we've accomplished in the previous year to help our fellow citizens, our country or our world.....what we've done.  So I decided to start the new year challenging myself and other leaders to LEAD through their actions.

A CULTURE OF NEGATIVITY

In my view 2011 has been the year of a "Culture of Negativity" towards the U.S.A educational system.  The attacks were primarily "friendly fire," coming from our own politicians & media.  A day would not go by when there would be headlines tearing down US education in one form or another.  Take for example John Stossel's 'Stupid in America' and the "Waiting for Superman" craze, where it was open season on our schools, teachers, unions and system.  While other countries are respecting, trusting and empowering their educators, the US continues to do the opposite (through its actions).

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

If you are like me, you are tired of people who've never spent a day in the classroom telling us we are doing a bad job and dictating what, why, when and how we educate our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson said “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” I have taken this to heart and decided to challenge more of us to DO!

THE CHALLENGE - JOIN ME!

My 2012 Challenge is open to ANYONE who wants to improve American education, repair our reputation and motivate our law makers to include us in the decision making process. 

Our collective, positive and overwhelming response will be heard.  Remember, you are either part of the problem or part of the solution!