Reclaiming Hope in Time of Despair
In this November 24, 2025, article in the New York Times, Senator Cory Booker provides a glimmer of hope for those who are sinking into despair. This is a message that students, teachers, and educational leaders need right now.
Senator Booker argues that “If America has not broken your heart, then you don’t love her enough.” While there is deep economic insecurity in many places in the US, we must keep the perspective that, over generations, we should consider the perspectives of our grandparents and great-grandparents. Whatever their differences, they were able to find common ground both in national triumphs and tragedies. “We need to redeem the dream of America,” Senator Booker argues. In our understanding of history, from the days of the Great Depression to the present, there has been enormous progress in racial reconciliation, economic opportunity, reduced crime, and educational progress. This is not to whitewash the difficulties we face, but rather to acknowledge that we face these challenges together with a clear vision of a positive future.
Of all the things that we teach our students and colleagues, the most important is hope. We must, Senator Booker says, tell our story to provide hope for the future. Dr. King did not provide a 15-point policy plan; instead, he spoke about his dream. Our ideals are not tied to any one political party but rather are broadly shared. Booker concludes that the best chapter in America is coming. “You cannot have great courage unless you have great despair.” He closes with a line from scripture: “Weeping endures through the night, but joy comes in the morning.”
Here’s the link: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/opinion/cory-booker-next-american-story.html
News from Creative Leadership Solutions
-
Fearless Schools Podcast In the most recent episode of the Fearless Schools podcast, we engage with Principal Salome Thomas-El (aka Principal El), who shares his insights on authentic leadership, the importance of nurturing relationships in education, and the role of joy and resilience in school culture. Principal El emphasizes the significance of hands-on leadership, using the metaphor of watering plants to illustrate the need for leaders to be actively involved in their communities. He advocates for choosing impact over compliance and fostering joy in educational settings, ultimately aiming to inspire and uplift educators and students alike. You can find all episodes and follow the Fearless Schools Podcast wherever you listen. Apple Podcasts Spotify iHeart Podcasts
-
CLS Newsletter With winter settling in for many of us, we’re excited to dedicate this edition of the CLS Newsletter to the “cool” and innovative ideas our Associates have been exploring in schools this year. CLICK HERE
-
CLS Services CLICK HERE to learn more about what makes us different and how we can help your team.
-
Fearless Instruction Our latest book, Fearless Instruction, has been released! It features a dynamic collection of voices united by a common purpose: to carry forward and evolve the foundational work of the 90/90/90 schools. Grounded in research and rich with practical strategies, this book is for educators ready to lead with clarity, collaborate with purpose, and teach with courage. Fearless Instruction can be purchased from Amazon by CLICKING HERE.