I love a flag. I love watching it dance in the wind. I love hearing the clank, clank of the halyard against the flagpole in front of a school. Whether you believe in what the flag means is up to you, but for me, I believe in those who fought for the freedom it stands for. Late-Lee as I travel the roads to and from schools, I notice flags in all kinds of places. There’s one not far from where I live that waves proudly on a sandbar out in the river. You can admire it as you cross the bridge. A few times hurricanes have held it captive and whisked it away, but someone always replaces it.

I’m thankful for those who gave all so I could get an education when and where I wanted to. I’m grateful I can attend church when and where I want to. And I’m overwhelmed with the choices I get to make due to the sacrifices of others who fought for those freedoms. They’re the threads that make up the fabric of my life.

In schools, we have our own kind of “flag.” It may differ from the one that waves proudly outside the school, but it still carries deep meaning. It waves in the spirit of our teams: teachers, leaders, students, and families all stitched together with purpose. Like the Stars and Stripes on the flag, we may each be different, but together we unite in something greater: opportunity, hope, and a future for every child who walks through our doors.

But here’s the truth. A flag doesn’t rise independently. It takes applying some tension to pull the halyard with intentional movement. Leadership is the halyard in a school. Without bold moves from leaders, the school’s “flag” hangs limp and can’t possibly catch the wind.

Bold leadership doesn’t always mean flashy actions. Sometimes it’s the steady pull that raises the flag higher. Here are a few bold moves leaders may take. 

• Coherent Instruction: If you want teachers to teach, don’t load their wagon so heavily that they can’t move forward. Provide the resources needed to plan and deliver effective instruction that is aligned to state standards and state assessment design. 
• Effective Leadership: Feedback that rambles is like grits without butter; nobody’s going back for seconds. As I have shared in earlier posts, feedback is meant to be targeted, bite-sized, and actionable. 
• Professional Capacity: If you want folks to grow, you’ve got to give ‘em room to stretch—just like tomatoes on a trellis. Provide tiered professional learning opportunities. Coaching cycles prove to be the most effective! 
• Family & Community Engagement: Families don’t just need a seat at the table. They need a fork too. Invite them in to be a part of the learning community. 
• Supportive Learning Environment (MTSS/Whole Child): Talking without acting is like thunder with no rain. You hear plenty of noise but nothing that helps the crops. Ensure you are monitoring data closely and students who need extra support are getting it. 

Like raising a flag, these moves require effort, intention, and courage. But when leaders commit to pulling the halyard, the school’s colors can wave proudly, signaling a place where students thrive and teachers feel empowered.

So maybe the next time you hear the clank, clank outside your school, let it remind you: what bold move am I making to raise our flag higher?