The week before I started my first teaching position, my mom sent me my school file and all of my report cards. When I read the items in my file, I felt horrible and it further cemented my mission and what I knew I had to do as a teacher and then as an administrator. There were very few positives, few kind words, and a lot of negatives about academics, attention-related issues, and behaviors. One comment that really stung was, "Bryan won’t be college material". How did I even stand a chance? I have continued to keep this folder with me as I moved from teacher to assistant principal to principal to central office and now as a keynote speaker, adjunct professor and therapist. This is my daily reminder of the importance of the work that we do and why we have to keep up the battle to help all students to succeed in school and life! Thank you for everything you do for kids!