 The killing of George Floyd was as tragic as it was wrong. But sadly, it was nothing new. The history of our nation is scarred by so much injustice and lost potential. There are so many names to be remembered and spoken. And I struggle with the understanding that an incalculable number of them will not be heard or recognized. They can however be acknowledged and honored and the power to do that rests in our hands. The events of the past couple of weeks have shaken me on many levels. As a father, a friend, a colleague. But today, as an educator, I want to focus on potential. Our potential is precious. It is a gift. And to waste it, to thwart its growth or cast it aside, is a deep injury to our well-being as a society. I do not have all the answers to fight systemic racism. It terrorizes and diminishes us all, and it is time for it to end. But as an educator, I commit to you that I will do everything in my power to harness and develop potential. Black lives matter. And I'm here to ensure the talent, experience, and perspective of black lives are fully represented in our community. We cannot delay this work. As I shared last week, and in the words of Langston Hughes, I too am America. That is our North Star.