In the middle of Hurricane Irma passing directly over our little bungalow, I had a familiar feeling. It was a feeling that I’ve had many times as a school leader. You see, we have a big, beautiful oak tree in our backyard, and it’s a little too close to the house for comfort.

Isn’t it strange how two people can see the same situation in two completely different ways? It speaks to the power of thoughts over circumstances. We have, if we so choose, the power to find the treasure or the trouble in anything.

For the last three months, I have watched the teachers and leaders I love (the ones I have witnessed making an undeniable impact on kids) feel defeated by VAM (Value-Added Model) scores and school grades. In supporting them, I have had the opportunity to reflect on my own love-hate relationship with data.