Hi Reader!

As I write this, I'm hurtling in a metal tube 34,980 feet above the Atlantic Ocean going 625 mph...

wait, I'm scaring myself--oops. Deep breath.

Hi from an airplane ✈️ as I take my kids on mid-winter break vacation. A few flight credits and a United sale means we're headed to London for a few days. 💂 I'm excited! All carry-on bags and everyone was ready for the 5:45 a.m. Lyft 5 minutes early.. it's a new era in travelling with my kids and I'm ready for it (and hopefully did not just jinx myself, ha!)

By the time you read this, we'll be on our way back but- I'm writing this to you on Valentine's Day.. 💌

So it's only fitting that I share today the top five reasons I love working with mission-driven leaders, especially in education.

#1: They're just people who care, period. I mostly find myself with people who just are all heart: enthusiastic about things like chaperoning 125 13 year-olds on a 10 day band trip. I mean, that's a special group. I know there are some grumpy folks--I've met my share--but I find that 98% of the time under the gruff exterior there's a heart that care about making the world a better place. 💗

#2. The learning vibes are so strong. I mean, this makes sense given education is their chosen field--but I can't tell you enthusiastically people dive into getting better in my work. I hear from friends in other industries that's not how people are at their conferences or events or whatnot--people are all "I know this already" and I'm like, what?!! Learning nerds for the win! 🤓

#3. By the way, nerd is a compliment in that sentence--but I'm guessing you already knew that! Why? Because you can't be too cool for school if you professionally go back to work in a school (or district or nonprofit or CMO...). I love how by and large people are not aloof or above it all. Super cool people who are not too cool for school--perfect combo.

#4. There's just a down-to-earth-nessthat permeates the field. Maybe it's because your first group of 5th grade students regularly told you things like "That outfit is not flattering" or ask questions like "Why did you cut your hair? It looked better the old way" (okay, fine, this was me, but I'm guessing slash hoping you have had similar experiences! 😂). When you hear comments like these on the regular, it's hard to get too full of yourself. I love humble folks and this sector is full of them.

#5. There's a future-focused, care-about-the-direction-the-world-is-going in that's baked in to how people orientate--probably because in working with young people, they're looking around at this world we've created and think-- "We can do better"--and then they work to make it so. Amazing!

Any you'd put in your top five that are missing here? Hit reply and let me know.

Cheerio, mates!

Beth

ps. Last week I asked a simple 2 question survey on what you wanted to see more of in this newsletter. The answers are 🔥--I'd love for a few more people to add their opinion. There's a clear front-runner for what people want to see most --but the second most preferred resource is a three way tie. Help break it and answer this quick 2 question survey here!