From My View - Dr. Jim Wipke

April 15th... When we hear April 15, what is the first thing that pops into your mind? I bet that like me and many others… you think taxes . A note from your accountant (not) … With the Coronavirus and the CARES Act, the federal and Missouri governments have pushed the tax deadline to July 15, so if you haven’t filed/paid your 2019 taxes yet, don’t panic! Also, don’t panic because this blog is not about taxes! Does April 15 have any other significance to you? Like many St. Louisans, I am a passionate baseball fan and I have deeply missed Opening Day. The roar of the crowd, the excitement, the Clydesdales (for goodness sake), and the hope that maybe this will again be the year for our Cardinals. If you are also a baseball enthusiast, you may know that on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier when he made his epic and historic debut into Major League Baseball. Each year, this is celebrated by all of the ballplayers in the major leagues wearing hi...

Well, this was certainly not what I had anticipated my next blog would be about. COVID-19? Really? Seriously? A few short months ago, nobody even knew what it was, much less imagined the turmoil it would create in our world. Truth be told, I have actually written a few blogs since my last one and simply chose not to post them. In light of the times, I think I am going to put them on the shelf for a little while.  As we sit back and try to make sense of everything, I have been watching the news like everyone else. Depending on what news station you watch, you either get the sense that there is not a problem at all or it is the end of the world as we know it. I know… I’m riffing on a song by REM, and yes, there is some sarcasm there. But I think you understand my point. I think the real question is... How do we make sense of it all? And in the end, how do we even defeat this thing? A better question might be… What will it look like when we come out on the other side?  As I ...

Friends,  January has come and gone.  I hope it treated you well.  I always find January to be a great month and an awesome time of the year. It’s a time when we often have the opportunity to be refocused … rejuvenated … and re-invigorated to find our “why’s” and live them out in our daily actions. New Year’s resolutions (whether you personally make them or not) are kicking into gear … high gear at that. Anyone who went to the gym in the month of January was sure to find full classes or waits for a treadmill that didn’t occur in December. January has telltale signs of resolutions in action. People are more relaxed and full of hope that their dreams will be accomplished. So, have you ever stopped to ask yourself why your dreams are your dreams? Chances are they revolve around family, health and how your life can support other people. As I have gotten to know our Ladue Schools staff over the last six months, I have realized I have never been around a group of people wh...

After spending the past six months as superintendent of the Ladue School District, a district of 4,200 students about 15 miles west of downtown St. Louis, I have decided to attempt to become a blogger. It never occurred to me before. However, I am finding this journey so interesting, inspiring and enlightening that I felt compelled to invite others to follow along! For just over 26 years, I have been a public school educator and this is my second superintendency. During this time, I’ve learned and seen a lot, and I have some great stories — and maybe even some insights — to share. I have also learned quite a lot about leadership and have come to realize we are all leaders in some form or another. Whether it is in our employment, our family, or the organizations to which we belong. So, through the topics I share here on From My View, I hope to provide some motivation, but also practical ideas that apply to leadership beyond the field of education. As you read, I hope you will find...