Getting Back Up Again

Truth talk: I don’t feel like an expert most of the time. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution in this work. I’m just someone who’s willing to try, to stay curious, and to get creative—even when it feels uncomfortable.

I was reminded of this during a conversation with a teacher earlier this school year while we were brainstorming support strategies.

Teacher: “I’m just scared it’ll blow up in my face.”

Me: “I get that. And it might. But if it does, we’ll learn from it—and then we’ll make a new plan.”

That moment felt very Poppy from Trolls to me. Not because everything magically works out, but because she keeps showing up with optimism, flexibility, and the belief that even when things fall apart, there’s still a way forward. She falls, she adjusts, she brings others with her—and then she gets back up again.

Repeated failure is part of life, and it’s one of the most important lessons we can model for our students, families, and ourselves. Every attempt gives us data: what to tweak, what to keep, and what to let go. When we approach challenges as a team, setbacks feel less like personal failures and more like shared learning moments.

So here’s to trying the thing. Here’s to plans that don’t go perfectly. And here’s to channeling a little Poppy energy—staying hopeful, collaborative, and willing to “get back up again,” even when the rhythm changes.