Hello TEPSANs,
I hope you are enjoying the beautiful Texas spring weather. I want to invite you into something rare in our profession: a purposeful pause. This point in the school year carries weight. The pace has been relentless, the expectations constant, and the finish line is visible. Spring break is not just time away from work; it is an opportunity to tend intentionally to your well-being and to the well-being of those you lead.
Earlier this year, we set a collective goal: to lead in and Leave an Unforgettable Legacy. Not one defined by perfection or nonstop productivity, but by faithfulness, courage, and care. This season offers space to reflect. How are we doing with that goal, not just in outcomes, but in how people feel under our leadership?
Well-being is not separate from leadership; it is evidence of it. The way you model rest, boundaries, and grace sends a powerful message to staff and students. When leaders pause intentionally, they give others permission to breathe. When leaders choose restoration, they reinforce that people matter more than pace, pressure, or performance metrics.
Be deliberate. Rest your body. Quiet your mind. Reconnect with what grounds you. Just as important, reflect on how your leadership has supported the well-being of your campus or district community. Have you created space for encouragement? Have you recognized effort, not just results? Have you checked in with others, not to evaluate, but to care?
We are nearing the end of the school year, and legacy becomes clearer through reflection. When your school or district community looks back on this year, what Unforgettable Legacy memories do they hold about you? Will they remember your steadiness during uncertainty, your humanity in difficult conversations, and your courage to lead with strength and compassion?
The good news is this: there is still time. Time to adjust, to realign, and to lead with renewed intentionality. Small shifts matter. A handwritten note, a listening conversation, a public affirmation, or a moment of grace can leave lasting impressions long after the year ends.
As you step into spring, do so with purpose. Restore yourself. Recommit to the people you lead. Return ready to finish this school year in a way that honors your values, strengthens your community, and leaves a legacy worth remembering.
With appreciation and belief in your leadership,
Dana
Dana Harley Boyd is an Elementary Executive Principal in El Paso ISD.
