"Obstacles to my leadership and my colleagues' leadership were identified throughout the four days. ... I realize how important it is to support other people's leadership by listening and allowing them opportunities to talk about their struggles and achievements as well as create that support for myself. ... I'm feeling more empowered to handle some of the dysfunction at my school."

"I have really valued the opportunity to share my difficulties in my leadership role with this group of highly committed and comprehending professionals. Exposing my insecurities and being open to the group's empathic personal stories helped me to heal and move on in my work. The value of professionals being authentic in their needs for support is tremendous because it is often those who are perceived as strong and capable who must go without emotional support - despite their need. ... The distinctive value to this experience is having emotional support from professionals who share the commitment and trials of work in educational leadership."

"I had attended two previous workshops trying to bring people together and deal with racism ... but in both cases it ended up dividing us and making us leave angrier. Not here. I am amazed at how close together this experience has brought such a diverse, yet very similar, group. So many valuable lessons were learned and so many painful issues surface, yet helped us all start to heal. I am leaving so hopeful that in our increasingly diverse society it is possible to build real, not just token, alliances that are so necessary to help tackle the immense inequities facing our children. Thank you so much for helping me feel empowered!"

"I have learned a great deal about racial bias. The personal stories brought me to a whole new awareness level. I know I need to be more aware of our students. ... I wasn't aware how much hurt people were having to carry inside of them. ... I feel you are giving us wonderful tools to start us on our journey."