Today happens to be a big day in my house. It’s opening day for T-ball: the time for little kids to run out on the field in their uniforms for the first time. These new players run around the bases in continuous motion as the outfielders slowly, sporadically and enthusiastically try and throw the ball back into the infield. It’s a great time for kids and their parents — who also dream of their child running around the bases.

The wonderful part about T-ball kids is THEY ARE SO EXCITED! They’re thrilled about the games, practices, bats, balls and dirt! All that dirt! Playing T-ball is fun and these kids are ready.

If you are in leadership position, do you remember when you first started? Do you recall the excitement and enthusiasm of that first day? Because of the pressures on educational leaders — from budget concerns to academic standards — one thing that often gets lost is the passion for leading. After endless board and committee meetings, parent conferences, faculty and staff in-services, and other items that appear on the job description (which seems to always change), the passion for the job can diminish.  Still, those of us in educational leadership have some of the best jobs in the world.

If we choose to, we lead and shape schools. If we accept the challenge, we create opportunities to advance the way this country teaches and prepares students. But to do so, we need to keep that passion we started with.

The other day, I was meeting with two school board presidents who were looking for superintendents. Each was describing the ideal candidate for the respective school. From ideal age to ideal level of educational experience, the board presidents gave me their list of what it is each school is hoping to find in a new leader. As we closed, I encouraged — pleaded, actually — them to ensure that whomever is hired, that a major characteristic of the new leader is a passion for the job. Educational experience is important, and age is probably relative, but passion can’t be negotiated. It’s hard to teach unbridled passion for leading a school, and that is what is needed for 21st-century schools that want to teach 21st-century skills.

I am really excited about opening day for my son’s T-ball game. But before the game starts, I get to lead my school. What a job! Play ball!