Week 27: Watching the Ball Fly

Happy Friday!

Thank you for another week of dedication and hard work. The commitment and passion I see from our instructional staff each day are making a real impact, and it does not go unnoticed. Across classrooms, teachers are refining their lessons, fostering deeper engagement, and implementing strategies that are strengthening student learning. Your efforts are creating meaningful progress, and as we enter the final stretch of the school year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work being done to support both student success and professional growth.

The work you do each day requires focus, adaptability, and an unwavering dedication to improvement. It is inspiring to know that teachers are embracing new strategies, analyzing student progress, and making adjustments that ensure all learners have the opportunity to thrive. Your professional goals align with our district’s goals, and together, we are building a stronger foundation for student achievement. With 120 days behind us and 46 to go, we are at a pivotal moment—one where perseverance and commitment will shape the success of this year’s journey. Let us continue forward with the same energy and determination that have brought us this far.

Hoping for the Home Run

I love old movies and was watching Pride of the Yankees on Turner Classic Movies the other night, the story of Lou Gehrig. There was a particular piece of the story that grabbed my attention. Gehrig’s career was legendary, but what stood out to me this time was not just his triumphs but the sheer number of times he stepped up to the plate, knowing that failure was always a possibility. Baseball, at its core, is a game of failure. Even the greats miss more than they succeed, but they keep swinging because they know that when they do connect, it changes everything.

There was a scene in the movie that showed a trophy like this one, and it made me think of our jobs as educators. It struck me that just like in baseball, our daily work is filled with countless swings—some hits, some misses—but every effort builds toward something greater. I thought it would be good content for this Wrap-up.

There is a moment in baseball when the batter swings, makes solid contact, and just knows. The crack of the bat tells the story before the ball even leaves the infield. The follow-through is effortless. The batter watches—not to see if it is a hit, but to see how far it will go.

That is the moment captured in the trophy above. The bat is down, the follow-through is complete, and the hitter is locked on the ball’s flight. It is a moment of both satisfaction and anticipation—knowing the effort was right and waiting to see the full impact.

However, this moment does not happen without its fair share of misses. Baseball is a game of failure. I once had a conversation with Coach Tommy Johnson, and he told me that baseball is a game of failures, but those failures teach and encourage with the right mindset and overall purpose. It is a game where even the greatest hitters miss more than they succeed. Strikeouts are common. There are just as many swings that result in pop-ups, ground balls, or missed opportunities as there are those that lead to a big hit. A batter who succeeds three out of ten times is considered exceptional. Yet, despite the failures, players keep stepping up to the plate because they know the feeling of a solid hit. They know the exhilaration of a well-placed swing, the rush of watching the ball soar, and ultimately, the joy of a win.

Of course, the game is never played in silence. The crowd reacts. Fans cheer for a home run, but they also boo when a batter strikes out. Their emotions rise and fall with the success or failure of the players on the field. The same is true in our profession. With parent-teacher conferences approaching, it is important to remember that parents, like fans, are deeply invested in the game. Their emotions, whether cheers or boos, stem from their desire to see their children succeed. They may not fully understand the strategies, the adjustments, or the long-term development we are working toward, but their reactions are not about us personally. They live vicariously through their children, just as a fan does through a favorite team.

We must remain empathetic to their position. Just as players should not despise the fans for their reactions, we should not be discouraged by emotional responses from parents. Instead, we recognize their passion and do our best to guide them in understanding the game. We play hard for the team, for the town, and for the organization as a whole. This is how we strengthen our school community and build a program that everyone is proud of.

At this point in the school year, we are deep into the game. If we look at the school year in terms of weeks, we are finishing Week 27 out of 36, placing us just past the 7th inning stretch. This is the part of the game where endurance, smart plays, and teamwork matter most. We have put in the effort, and now we push forward, staying focused and committed to finishing strong.

Like the batter in the image, we do not always see where the ball will land right away. The results might show up in the next test, the next school year, or even years down the road. But when we have done our jobs well, we know. The impact is already in motion.

This week, take a moment to step back and recognize the swings that landed just right. Reflect on the moments when you knew you reached a student. The results may not be immediate, but trust the work. The ball is flying, and soon enough, we will see just how far it will go.

Keep stepping up to the plate. Keep swinging. The home runs will come.

PD Thought Exchange Results

Your feedback is essential in shaping professional development that meets your needs, and guiding how we prioritize and plan future learning opportunities. In June, core content staff will participate in dedicated training with Andria Miller and the DMESC Team at the Co-op for Elevating Rigor: Deep Diving into Standards with DOK and AI-Enhanced Questioning. This training addresses several of the areas identified in the survey data. Summer flex days will also be available, allowing staff to choose professional development aligned with their instructional needs. As we begin the school year, Back-to-School professional learning will include dedicated workdays focused on writing and data, ensuring teachers have the time and support needed to implement these strategies effectively. View the detailed 2025-2026 Employee Training Plan.

Closing

Speaking of home runs, congratulations to Louise Durham Elementary for being recognized by the Office for Education Policy (OEP) at the University of Arkansas with the Beating the Odds award for Southwest Arkansas! This honor is given to schools where students demonstrate exceptional growth despite economic challenges, and Louise Durham stands among the top five schools in the region. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our students, teachers, and staff, who work tirelessly to ensure that every child receives the support and instruction needed to thrive. Your commitment to student success is inspiring—well done!

Congratulations to our Bearcat Choir and Spotlight Singers for their outstanding performances this week! The Bearcat Chorus delivered an amazing performance at the Choral Performance Assessment, showing beautiful vocals and tremendous growth from last year, while the Spotlight Singers earned a Division I rating and will advance to the State Choral Performance Assessment in April. These achievements are a testament to the hard work, talent, and dedication of our choir students and directors. We are incredibly proud of you—congratulations!

This week, Mena Theatre Arts students took the stage to bring literature to life for their peers through two outstanding performances. Theatre Arts II students entertained and engaged 6th-grade English classes with their production of 10 Reasons You Should Have Stayed Home Sick, showcasing their creativity and talent in a fun and relatable way. Later in the week, Mena Theatre students delivered a compelling performance of 12 Incompetent Jurors for high school English and Business Law classes, demonstrating their acting skills and bringing humor and drama to the courtroom setting. These performances not only highlighted the hard work and dedication of our theatre students but also provided a unique and immersive learning experience for their audiences. Congratulations to all involved on a job well done!

Postseason honors have been announced for Mena Ladycat Basketball, recognizing several athletes for their outstanding performances this season. Multiple players earned All-Conference and Honorable Mention honors, highlighting their hard work, skill, and dedication on the court. Additionally, Isabel Cross received a nomination for the prestigious All-Star Team, a testament to her excellence in the game. Congratulations to all of our Ladycat Basketball players on these well-deserved accolades—your commitment and perseverance continue to make us proud!

This week, Mena Public Schools celebrated Read Across America with a variety of special activities that encouraged a love of reading across our campuses. A heartfelt thank you to all the staff who organized opportunities for students to be read to by older students and athletes from Mena High School and U of A Rich Mountain—it was a meaningful way to connect our learners through literacy. Our elementary students participated in a March Madness Book Bracket Challenge, with books advancing based on student preferences, while others showcased their comprehension skills by competing in The Battle of the Books at the DeQueen-Mena Educational Service Cooperative. Teachers across the district designed creative and engaging activities to promote reading throughout the week, sharing these moments on social media.

It was a good week at Mena Public Schools.

At Mena Public Schools, our students are prepared, our staff is supported, and our community is confident.

Keep the #menareads posts and videos coming and have a nice weekend!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearcatwrap.substack.com