Commissioner’s Corner: InSideOut Initiative
By Mike Krueger, CHSAA Commissioner
My first experience with Joe Ehrmann and Jody Redman was back in 2015 when I received an invitation to attend a special presentation for a grassroots movement called “Shift Why”. As a coach, teacher, counselor, athletic/activities director and school administrator, I had always understood and promoted what I felt was the true purpose of educationally based athletics and activities. I was committed to making sure that my students not only learned the sport I was coaching, but I was dedicated to the belief that the more important responsibility I had was to make sure that they became better people through their participation and that they were more prepared to be productive leaders as they grew into adulthood.
My understanding of that responsibility changed and grew exponentially when I heard Joe and Jody speak that day. At the time, I had no idea how that one interaction would turn into a friendship and an experience that would influence who I became as a leader for the rest of my career. That friendship and that influence remain with me to this day and is as strong as ever. More importantly, I saw how that learning influenced and impacted my own school community in countless ways!
Why do we provide opportunities for participation in athletics and activities for our students? We invest so much time, energy and finances into these programs, so it begs the question, what is the purpose?
I know as school leaders that we all understand the importance of co-curricular activities, the life lessons that can be learned, the impact sports and activities can have on our school culture and more importantly the impact it can have on our student participants. So, as Superintendents, Principals and AD’s, we understand and value attributes like teamwork, leadership, empathy, kindness, accountability, belonging, etc. and we hope our students gain these qualities. But to be honest, it is not a question of value, it is a question of intentionality. We all value what educationally based activities bring to our school communities and what it can do for our students; but if we are not intentional about teaching and modeling these behaviors and expectations it simply remains something we value. To go beyond something we value to something that is tangible, as leaders we must be intentional about finding ways to educate and instill these qualities and attributes in our students.
It was this one powerful presentation back in 2015 that gave me a new understanding, and more importantly gave me tools, resources and strategies that showed me how I could bring this to life in my school community and be intentional about educating my staff and students on these values. It allowed me to grow beyond something I believed and hoped would happen, to having tools and a toolkit that inspired me to make it happen!
Over the years “Shift Why” became what is now known as the “InSideOut Initiative.” The philosophical foundations that started the movement back in 2015 remain strong, but over the past eight years the support, resources and approach have truly grown into something that has even greater impact. I know firsthand how this powerful movement can impact a school and a school district in so many positive ways, so please accept this as a personal invitation to join us on February 5th at Empower Field at Mile High for InSideOut Leadership and experience it for yourself.
Truth is that systemic change always starts with the influence and passion of a dedicated leader. We would love to have Superintendents and Principals from around our beautiful state take part in this special morning. Please find additional information about this program on the CHSAA website. Or, if you plan to join us on February 5th, you can register here. There is no cost for the program at any time; and although the program is fully funded by the NFL Foundation, it is open to all schools, all sports and activities, and all school leaders!
I look forward to seeing you on February 5th for a culture changing morning of growth and learning as we explore how to recapture the true purpose of educationally based athletics and activities! Thanks for everything you do to lead our schools and communities across Colorado!
Sincerely,
Mike
