As we approach Thanksgiving, I’ve been reflecting on the people and partnerships that make our work meaningful. In education, especially in communication, we often have pressure to move fast. We focus on meeting deadlines. Navigating challenges. Ensuring our families always have clear and timely information.

But this season invites us to pause.
To reflect.
To acknowledge the people who help us do this work well.
And to give thanks.

Earlier this month, I joined school communicators from across the country through the Charter School Growth Fund. What struck me most wasn’t the strategy or the tools. It was the sense of shared purpose. Communicators, no matter where they come from, are united by a shared commitment: to support schools that nurture, protect, and uplift children.

And for that shared mission, I’m deeply grateful.

Shared Challenges, Shared Purpose, and Shared Gratitude

From Denver to Dallas to Indianapolis, communicators are navigating similar questions:

• How do we show families their children are truly safe?

• How do we communicate data in ways that build trust instead of eroding it?

• How do we make our values visible through our actions and messages?

These conversations reminded me how fortunate we are to work in a field where collaboration isn’t the exception, it's the norm. When we share what works and where we’ve stumbled, we make each other better. And ultimately, we make schools stronger for the students and families we serve.

Returning home to Indianapolis, I carried with me a renewed sense of gratitude for every campus in our network:

• Paramount Brookside, where connection and consistency help students reach for excellence every day.

• Paramount Englewood, where Jr. Chef Academy and strong partnerships bring learning to life.

• Paramount Lafayette, where strong relationships are built through listening and respect.

• Girls IN STEM Academy (GISA), where empowerment helps young women break barriers and lead boldly.

• Paramount Cottage Home, where a nationally recognized school community demonstrates to students what trust and belonging feel like.

• Andrew J. Brown Academy (AJB), where students learn through a legacy of leadership, service, and community.

• Paramount Online Academy, where flexibility allows learning to adapt to each student’s life and goals.

• Paramount South Bend, where our expanding campus creates new opportunities to build relationships rooted in listening, support, and student success.

Each school reflects the unique spirit of its families. Each one reminds me how much we have to be thankful for.

Safety: The Promise We Are Most Thankful to Deliver

Every communicator at the convening agreed on one thing:
Safety is the number one concern for families.

At Paramount, this isn’t just a policy; it’s something we live every day. It shows up in the way we communicate, the way we respond, the way we plan, and the way we demonstrate to families, in big and small ways, that their children are our priority.

This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for:

• Our safety teams

• Our staff who remain vigilant

• Our families who trust us

• Our students who deserve a secure environment where they can learn and grow

Because when students feel safe, they can thrive.

Learning Together Makes Us Better

At the convening, the most meaningful moments weren’t the sessions. They were honest conversations. The openness. The shared understanding that communication is not just about sending information. It is about building relationships rooted in trust.

We discussed crisis communication, amplifying family voices, and sharing stories that reflect real experiences. We acknowledged the responsibility of getting it right and the grace required when we fall short. This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for colleagues who share openly so that we can all grow.

That spirit of learning together connects deeply with the work we do at Paramount. Every day, we evaluate data and milestones from each student, not as numbers on a page, but as indicators of what they need to learn, feel supported, and move forward. Our academic approach uses the “I do, we do, you do” model to ensure students receive the right level of guidance at the right moment. It helps us teach with intention. It helps students build confidence step by step. It also helps families understand how we are supporting their child in real-time.

Community Is the Work and the Reward

My greatest takeaway from this convening—and from this season—is simple: schools cannot succeed alone. Communities make the work possible. Collaboration makes the work stronger. And gratitude makes the work meaningful.

At Paramount Schools of Excellence, these values guide everything we do. We work together, using what we learn from data to make informed decisions, and focus on ensuring every student feels safe, supported, and valued.

As we head into this season of gratitude, I’m especially thankful for the families who trust us, the students who inspire us, and the educators and communicators who dedicate their days to helping every child thrive.

This is what drives us, and we’re proud to carry it forward into the holidays and the new year. That’s something truly worth celebrating.