Bearcat Wrap-up Podcast - Week 28: The Lessons of Imperfection

Episode Date: March 14, 2025

Happy Friday!As we come to the end of another busy and productive week, I want to take a moment to express my appreciation for the dedication and hard work of our teachers, staff, and students. Every effort we make is in pursuit of our district performance targets, ensuring that we are providing the best possible education for our students while continuously striving for growth and improvement. One of the key elements of this process is learning from experience—especially from mistakes. All of the positive accomplishments noted at the end of this Wrap-up were precluded by a long series of mistakes but the determination and expertise of teachers and coaches is what led to the results.Lessons From MistakesHave you ever noticed that there is no true opposite of the word mistake? We can call something correct, successful, or accurate, but none of those words really mean the opposite of making an error. A mistake is something we can point to, something we recognize the moment it happens or in the clarity of hindsight. But what do we call the choice that leads to the best outcome?Maybe there is no word for it because the results of our choices—especially in education—are never fully known at the moment. Every lesson plan, every instructional strategy, and every classroom decision is made with the best information available at the time. We do not have the luxury of certainty. We only have the opportunity to act, reflect, and refine.One of the most encouraging things I have seen in our classroom observation data is that our teachers are actively trying new things. We are experimenting with strategies to increase student engagement, adjusting our instructional approaches, and refining our methods to better align with what we now know about learning. This is exactly what we should be doing. Growth does not come from standing still. It comes from testing, learning, and adjusting.I know firsthand how nerve-wracking it can be to step outside of a routine and try something unfamiliar. I remember when I introduced collaborative learning as a new instructional approach. In the beginning, I thought I had made a mistake but I persisted and adjusted with a new strategy—I was open with my students telling them that I was experimenting with different ways to help them learn better. That transparency had a psychological impact—rather than resisting the change, my students seemed more willing to cooperate. They recognized that we were in this learning process together, and instead of skepticism, they approached the new strategy with curiosity and patience.At first, there were moments of uncertainty, both for them and for me and it never became perfect. But as each day passed, we all became more confident in the approach. Students became more engaged in discussions, more willing to help each other, and more comfortable sharing their thoughts. I, too, gained confidence as I saw the benefits unfold in real-time. What started as an experiment turned into a meaningful shift in how we worked together in the classroom.Mistakes made in the service of our mission and vision are not failures—they are part of the process. When we try something with the intention of helping students grow, and it does not go as planned, we do not abandon the effort. We adjust. We learn. We become wiser. That is what we ask of our students—to take risks, to persist, and to learn from missteps. We should be asking the same thing from ourselves knowing that with no true antonym for “mistake”, correctness is more of a spectrum of results.The leadership our classrooms need is not about perfection—it is about presence, reflection, and resilience. It is about making the best decision we can in the moment, with the understanding that we will continue to learn alongside our students. Our job is not to get everything right the first time; it is to create an environment where learning—ours and theirs—is ongoing.So, as we move forward, do not fear mistakes. Embrace the learning they bring. If we stay focused on our purpose, keep refining our practice, and support one another in the process, we will always be moving in the right direction.Legislative UpdateThe following new bills could significantly impact teachers and staff through curriculum changes, governance and retirement policies, and school finance and facilities. This is not an exhaustive list but just a few that may interest you.Curriculum & InstructionSeveral bills directly affect curriculum and classroom instruction. HB 1283 requires the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish K-12 digital media standards by the 2026-2027 school year, integrating instruction on digital literacy, media wellness, and artificial intelligence into English Language Arts and library media curricula. Meanwhile, HB 1705 mandates that the beliefs of the Founding Fathers be embedded in social studies standards for grades 6-12, ensuring an emphasis on natural rights and the origins of American government. Additionally, HB 1542 aims to require private schools that receive state funding to administer the same statewide assessments as public schools, aligning accountability across sectors. On a broader level, HB 1305 sought to allow non-traditionally licensed individuals to obtain teaching licenses under specific conditions, but it has since been withdrawn after concerns over special education requirements and professional teaching standards.Governance & RetirementRegarding governance and retirement, HB 1154, HB 1155, and HB 1156 introduce technical corrections and eligibility updates to the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS), ensuring no reduction in benefits but allowing minor administrative changes such as adjusting disability retirement qualifications and survivor annuities. HB 1160 provides teachers with a way to purchase partial service credit for gap years, benefiting those who missed time due to medical leave, pregnancy, or other personal reasons. Meanwhile, SB 90 would require public comment at school board meetings, ensuring increased transparency in district decision-making, though concerns exist over its implementation.Finance & FacilitiesFinancially, multiple bills aim to adjust funding mechanisms for public schools. HB 1190 seeks to exempt the first $50,000 of a teacher's salary from state income tax, offering potential tax relief for educators, though its fiscal impact remains under discussion. HB 1239 proposes an increase in special education funding, allocating $3,862 per student with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). SB 59 would provide all students with a free breakfast, regardless of income status, ensuring broader access to school nutrition. This was signed by the Governor and is now Act 123. HB 1021 introduces a tax credit for early childhood educators, incentivizing retention in an essential field. Additionally, SB 200 seeks to exempt leased instructional materials and textbooks from sales tax, reducing costs for schools that rely on leasing agreements. These bills collectively aim to improve financial support for teachers, students, and school operations.ActsSeveral bills have now officially become Acts, meaning they are now part of state law and will impact education moving forward. Act 134 requires public schools to teach about communism and autocratic governments, with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) updating social studies standards accordingly. Act 135 amends the definition of a novice teacher, aligning it with new residency models and year-long internships for educators. Act 116 establishes non-discrimination policies for public schools, ensuring compliance with state and federal hiring and education laws.On the financial side, Act 121 strengthens protections for school funding by requiring a higher voting threshold before Property Tax Relief Trust Fund money can be used for non-tax relief purposes. Act 123 now mandates that all students have access to a free breakfast upon request, with state funding to reimburse school districts. For teacher retirement, Act 61 adjusts the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System budget, maintaining benefits while making minor funding reductions. Additionally, Act 186 increases funding for Career and Technical Education programs, supporting vocational training and workforce readiness for students.Finally, Act 248 grants liability protection to schools and property owners hosting shooting sports events, as long as they do not charge for facility use. This change is intended to encourage youth participation in shooting sports while limiting legal risks. As these Acts take effect, schools should begin preparing for curriculum updates, funding adjustments, and policy compliance. More updates will follow as implementation details become available.With about a month left in the legislative session, we will continue to monitor these bills and any new developments that could impact our schools. As decisions are finalized, we encourage everyone to stay informed and engaged in the process to ensure the best outcomes for our students, staff, and community. More updates will follow as the session progresses.ClosingIt was a successful week for Mena students in both FFA competitions and band performances. Mena FFA traveled to Southern Arkansas University to compete in the Southern District CDE Contest, where they had an outstanding day, qualifying all six teams for the State Contest on April 3rd-4th. The teams earned top finishes in Agricultural Mechanics, Horse Judging, Livestock Judging, Nursery & Landscape, Veterinary Science, and Wildlife Management, demonstrating the hard work and dedication they have put into preparing for this competition. Meanwhile, the Mena Middle School Band traveled to Van Buren to compete in the Region 8 Concert & Sightreading Assessment, earning an excellent second-division rating in Concert Performance and a superior first-division rating in Sightreading. Congratulations to all of these students on their impressive accomplishments and the hard work they continue to put into their programs!A huge thank you to Mrs. Dickison and the Louise Durham Elementary 2nd Grade students for their performance of "Jungle Party Tonight" at the MHS Performing Arts Center. It was a fantastic show enjoyed by a packed house, and the students did an amazing job bringing energy and excitement to the stage. It was also a successful week for Mena athletics, with strong performances across multiple sports. At the 6A Springdale Invitational, our track and field athletes competed at a high level, with a first-place finish in the high jump and strong showings in the long jump and mile run. The Mena Junior High Track team also represented well at the Booneville Relays, highlighted by a first-place finish in the girls' pole vault. On the soccer field, the Ladycats secured a 3-0 victory over Cossatot and played to a 1-1 draw against Heavener, OK, while the Bearcats tied 5-5 with Cossatot and fell to Heavener. Baseball had a dominant win over Acorn, 20-2. We also want to recognize our Bearcat Basketball players earning All-State, All-Star, and All-Conference honors. Congratulations to all our athletes on a fantastic week—your hard work continues to make us proud! 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

Good afternoon and welcome to the week 28 wrap up entitled the lessons of imperfection. Progress in education is not about getting everything right the first time. It's about learning, refining and improving. Happy Friday. As we come to the end of another busy and productive week, I want to take a moment to express my appreciation for the dedication and hard work of our teachers, staff, and students. Every effort we make is in pursuit of our district performance targets, ensuring that we are providing the best possible education for our students while continuously striving for growth and

improvement. One of the key elements of this process is learning from experience, especially from mistakes. All the positive accomplishments noted at the end of this wrap-up were precluded by a long series of mistakes, but the determination and expertise of teachers and coaches is what led to the results. Lessons for mistakes. Have you ever noticed that there is no true opposite of the word mistake? We can call something correct, successful, or accurate, but none of those words really mean the opposite of making an error. A mistake is something we can point to, something we recognize the moment it

happens, or in the clarity of hindsight. But what do we call the choice that leads to the best outcome? Maybe there is no word for it because the results of our choices, especially in education, are never really fully known at the moment. Every lesson plan, every instructional strategy, and every classroom decision is made with the best information available at the time. We do not have the luxury of certainty. We only have the opportunity to act, reflect, and refine. One of the most encouraging things I've seen in our classroom observation data is that our teachers are actively trying new things. We are experimenting with strategies to increase

student engagement, adjusting our instructional approaches, and refining our methods to better align with what we know about learning. This is exactly what we should be doing. Growth does not come from standing still. It comes from testing, learning, and adjusting. I know firsthand how nerve-racking it can be to step outside of a routine and try something unfamiliar. I remember when I introduced collaborative learning as a new instructional approach. In the beginning, I thought I'd made a mistake, but I persisted and adjusted with a new strategy. I was open with my students, telling them I was experimenting with different ways to help them learn better. That transparency had a psychological impact. Rather than resisting the change, my students seemed to

be more willing to cooperate. They recognized that we were in this learning process together and instead of skepticism, they approached the new strategy with curiosity and patience. At first there were moments of uncertainty, both for them and me, and it never became perfect. But as each day passed, we all became more confident in the approach. Students became more engaged in the approach. Students became more engaged in discussions and more willing to help each other, and more comfortable sharing their thoughts. I too gained confidence as I saw the benefits unfold in real time. What started as an experiment turned into a meaningful shift in how we work together in the classroom. The stakes made in the service of our mission and vision are not failures. They are part of the process.

When we try something with the intention of helping students grow and it does not go as planned, we do not abandon the effort. We adjust. We learn. We become wiser. This is what we ask of our students to take risks, to persist, and to learn from missteps. We should be asking the same thing from ourselves knowing that with no true antonym for mistake, correctness is more of a spectrum of results. The leadership of our classrooms need, the leadership our classrooms need is not about perfection. It's about presence, reflection, and resilience. It is about making the best decision we can in the moment with the understanding that we will continue to learn alongside our students. Our job is not to get

everything right the first time. It is to create an environment where learning, ours and theirs theirs is ongoing. So as we move forward, do not fear mistakes, embrace the learning they bring. If we stay focused on our purpose, keep refining our practice, and support one another in the process, we will always be moving in the right direction.

Legislative update. The following new bills could significantly impact teachers and staff through curriculum changes, governance and retirement policies, and school finance and facilities. This is not an exhaustive list, but just a few that may interest you. Curriculum and instruction. Several bills directly affect curriculum and instruction in the classroom. House Bill 1283 requires the division of elementary and secondary education to establish K-12 digital media standards by the 26-27 school year integrating instruction on digital literacy, media wellness, and artificial intelligence into English language arts and library media curriculum.

Meanwhile, House Bill 1705 mandates that beliefs of the founding fathers be embedded in social study standards for grades 6 through 12, ensuring an emphasis on natural rights and the origins of American government. Additionally, House Bill 1542 aims to require private schools that receive state funding to administer the same statewide assessments as public schools, aligning accountability across sectors. On a broader level, House Bill 1305 sought to allow non-traditionally licensed individuals to obtain teaching licenses under specific conditions, but it has since been withdrawn after concerns over special education requirements and professional teaching standards. Governance and retirement. Regarding governments and retirement, House bills 1154, 1155, and 1156

introduce technical corrections and eligibility updates to the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System, ensuring no reduction in benefits but allowing minor administrative changes such as adjusting disability, retirement, qualifications, and survivor annuities. House Bill 1160 provides teachers with a way to purchase partial service credit for gap years, benefiting those who missed time due to medical leave, pregnancy, or other personal reasons. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 90 would require public comment at school board meetings ensuring increased transparency in the district decision making through concerns, though concerns exist over its implementation. Finance and facilities.

exist over its implementation. Finance and facilities. Financially, multiple bills aimed to adjust funding mechanisms for public schools. House Bill 1190 seeks to exempt the first $50,000 of a teacher's salary from state income tax, offering potential tax relief for educators, though its fiscal impact remains under discussion. House Bill 1239 proposes an increase in special education funding, allocating $3,862 per student with an IEP. Senate Bill 59 would provide all students with a free breakfast, regardless of income status, ensuring broader access to school nutrition. This was signed by the governor and is now

act 1 to 123. House bill 1021 introduces a tax credit for early childhood educators incentivizing retention in an essential field. Additionally Senate bill 200 seeks to exempt leastased instructional materials and textbooks from sales tax, reducing costs for schools that rely on leasing agreements. These bills collectively aim to improve financial support for teachers, students, and school operations. Acts. Several bills have now officially become acts, meaning they are now part of the state law

and will impact education moving forward. Act 134 requires public schools to teach about communism and autocratic governments, with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education updating social study standards accordingly. Act 135 amends the definition of novice teacher, aligning with new residency models and year-long internships for educators. Act 116 establishes nondiscrimination policies for public schools, ensuring compliance with state and federal hiring and education laws. On the financial side, Act 121 strengthens protections for school funding by requiring a higher voting threshold before property tax relief trust fund money can be used for non-tax relief purposes.

Act 123, which I mentioned earlier, now mandates all students have a free breakfast upon request with state funding to reimburse school districts. For teacher retirement, Act 61 adjusts the Arkansas teacher retirement system budget, maintaining benefits while making minor funding reductions. Additionally, Act 186 increases funding for career and technical education programs supporting vocational training and workforce readiness for students. Finally, Act 248 grants liability protection to schools and

property owners hosting shooting sports events as long as they do not charge for facilities use. This change is intended to encourage youth participation in shooting sports while limiting legal risks. As these acts take effect, schools should begin preparing for curriculum updates, funding adjustments, and policy compliance. More updates will follow as implementation details become available. With about a month left in the legislative session, we'll continue to monitor these bills and any new developments that could impact our schools. As decisions are finalized, we

encourage everyone to stay informed and engaged in the process to ensure the best outcomes for students, staff and community. More updates will follow as this session progresses. In closing, it was a successful week for MENA students in both FFA competitions and band performances. MENA FFA traveled to Southern Arkansas University to compete in the Southern District CDE contests, where they had an outstanding day qualifying all six teams for state contests in April.

The teams earned top finishes in ag mechanics, horse judging, livestock, nursery and landscape, vet science, and wildlife management, demonstrating the hard work and dedication they've put into preparing for those competitions. Meanwhile, the Mena Middle School band traveled to Van Buren to compete in the Region 8 concert and sight reading assessment, earning an excellent second division rating in concert performance and a superior first division rating in sight reading. Congratulations to all of these students for their impressive accomplishments

and hard work they continue to put into their programs. A huge thank you to Ms. Dickinson and the Louise Durham Elementary second grade students for their performance of Jungle Party Tonight at the Menom Performing Arts Center. It was a fantastic show enjoyed by a packed house and the students did an amazing job bringing energy

and excitement to the stage. It was also a successful week for men athletics with strong performances across multiple sports. At the 6A Springdale Invitational our track and field athletes competed at a high level with a first place finish in the high jump and strong showings in the long jump and mile run.

The men and junior high track team also represented well at the Boonville Relays, highlighted by a first place finish in the girls pole vault. On the soccer field, the Ladycats secured a three to nothing victory over Kostotok and played to a one-to-one draw against Hevener while the Bearcats tied 5-5 with Kostotok and fell to Hevener. Baseball had a dominant win over Akron 20-2 that was yesterday. We also want to recognize our Bearcat baseball players earning All-State, All-Star, and All-Conference honors. Congratulations to all of our athletes on a fantastic week. Your hard work continues

to make us proud. 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 Mena Reads posts and videos coming, and have a nice weekend.