“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately.” Henry David Thoreau Last month, I wrote about intention. Before that, I talked about getting 1% better every day. But recently, I can’t shake…
Shaping the Year with Purpose
“Action expresses priorities.” Mahatma Gandhi As 2026 begins, I have been reflecting on the importance of intention. Instead of making resolutions that often fade quickly, I am focusing on the daily choices that shape our character….
How to Engage & Build Trust for Successful Strategic Planning
In 2021, respected educational leader Dr. Rui Dionisio became superintendent at Ramapo Indian Hills. It was time to create a new strategic plan, and Dr. Dionisio was ready for the challenge. As an experienced superintendent,…
Rui Dionisio, Ed.D., Honored as National Leader of Distinction at District Administration National Superintendents Summit
Recognizing Leaders Demonstrating Bold Vision, Steadfast Leadership, and Transformational Community Impact FAIR LAWN, NJ (JANUARY 8, 2026) – Dr. Rui Dionisio, Superintendent of Fair Lawn Public Schools, has been named National Leader of Distinction at…
The Sound of the Season
December 23, 2025 “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Gandhi There’s no place like Fair Lawn Schools for the holidays. This month reminded me why. Our…
Twenty Who Give Everything
December 12, 2025 “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill There is an overlooked truth about education that does not make headlines. The finest…
Transforming Tomorrow, Together
November 21, 2025 “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” African Proverb Every parent in Fair Lawn shares the same fundamental hope: that their child will thrive,…
5 Ways Student Voice Enhances Education Quality
5 Ways Student Voice Enhances Education Quality Written by Sarah Mathias Your students’ insights and experiences can positively impact their education and contribute to a thriving school district. Among the many benefits, promoting student…
When Excellence Becomes the Standard
November 5, 2025 “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Aristotle There’s a moment that happens in every great organization, not when you achieve something exceptional once, but…
Fair Lawn Is Proving What’s Possible
October 31, 2025 “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” Aristotle Twenty-five years in education, and this…