Four years ago, my oldest son was finishing up his first cycle of summer swimming lessons. All went very well for Mason until it was time for the final lesson of the year. Anyone who has taken their child to swim lessons knows of the infamous "diving board lesson." Small children are expected to climb to the edge of the diving board and jump into the deep end of the pool. There are four year-olds who enthusiastically run up to the board and immediately spring into the water.

Educators across the country have arrived to school for another year or will report to duty in the next week. I am entering my sixteenth year in education and could not be more excited. There is nothing like the beginning of the school year. Students arrive with new clothes, fresh haircuts, and enthusiastic smiles. Teachers begin with clean slates, an undefeated record, and are ready to make a difference. Hallway floors sparkle with freshly applied wax, football fields are fi