Ottumwa High School Principal, Mark Hanson, at 2015 graduation

If I were to devote every waking minute for the remainder of my life to reading all of the books, listening to all of the audio tapes, and to watching all of the videos marketing leadership, most certainly, I would not live long enough. But then again, I don’t have to. In the Sanctuary of True Leadership, it is more than enough to live and work alongside a genuine leader. For the past five years, I have had this privilege in working with Mark Hanson, Principal of Ottumwa High School.

True educational leaders have little time to market themselves or their work. While others are consulting their publicists or editors, true leaders are rolling the large garbage cans around the cafeteria–during three lunches, mind you–to pick up student trash. They are standing at the door when students arrive, greeting each student by name; they are listening, always listening, to those who have questions, comments, concerns; they are leading cheers at student pep rallies and acknowledging teacher efforts during staff meetings; and they are humbly professing their own mistakes before those whom they lead.

When I first met Mark Hanson, I was working as a literacy specialist at the area educational agency. As I was presenting during a professional session one day, I spotted an unfamiliar administrator. The session finished, I approached a colleague and asked, Who is that guy? The one sitting in the middle table with some of the Ottumwa teachers? My colleague said, That’s Mark Hanson, the new principal of Ottumwa High School. Why do you ask? To which I responded, I just wanted to know the name of the best listener I’ve ever seen. 

Many leadership books and seminars peddle talk and actions, but few give more than lip service to listening. And this is where they get it so wrong: true leaders are true learners. To learn, really learn, they understand that, above all else, they must listen to other leaders and to those who will follow them. Mark Hanson is the type of listener who listens with every fiber in his being, eyes locked on the speaker, pen in hand, his upper body bent forward lest he miss one thought. For true educational leaders, the speaker may be a fellow administrator, a teacher, a custodian or cook, a student, or a parent. It matters not who the speaker is, but rather, what can be learned.

After 40 years in education, I’ve had my share of leaders, some better than others. In truth, most were so far removed from the real work of the classroom that they could only spout the latest educational theory or drop the name of the latest educational guru in response to my questions and concerns. As if merely mentioning Robert Marzano’s name would magically make the boys in my fifth period class write the argumentative essays that were due two weeks ago. As if thrusting a copy of Vygotsky’s work on the zone of proximal development would cure all of the challenging behaviors in my freshman English class. Years from the authentic work of the classroom, many educational leaders flounder in the face of real school with real issues and real students.

In an educational world in which many principals have taught but a few years, Mark Hanson’s 13 years of classroom teaching make him an anomaly. Yet, these are crucial years. The fact that they were spent teaching students to read and write makes them all the more crucial. I recall Mr. Hanson relating an anecdote from his classroom years. Having collected a group of student essays, he worked long into the night until he had graded all of them, so that he could return them the next day. As one who has prided herself on timely feedback, I must admit that this anecdote gave new–and impressive–meaning to timely. True educational leaders can draw upon their own classroom experience, which gives them much-needed credibility in this age of anyone-can-lead-with-proper-training. 

In the Sanctuary of True Leadership, leaders talk the talk and, more importantly, walk the walk. They understand that walking the walk requires constant soul-searching: Am I modeling the kind of words, acts, relationships I wish for others? What should I do differently and better? How could I be a solution to this problem? This kind of soul-searching is not simple reflection; rather, it is the down-and-dirty type of introspection which often raises more concern than it does self-satisfaction. In short, this is not for the faint of heart. Mark Hanson has demonstrated his continual willingness to ask the tough questions and to look, first and foremost, to himself before he looks elsewhere. I don’t think there are many chapters on soul-searching in most leadership manuals, but there should be.

In the Sanctuary of True Leadership, it is not nearly enough to be a good building manager. The task of management–although necessary–pales in comparison to the tougher work of creating and sustaining a culture in which all can safely learn. This culture is carved from crucial conversations with students, staff, and parents. It is nurtured through continuing conversations and teamwork. And it is sustained when all players buy into a vision of what a school could and should be. Mark Hanson has never been one to settle for a statement I’ve heard far too often in my 30 years in Ottumwa: You have to understand–this is just Ottumwa. 

No. Not just Ottumwa. This is Ottumwa: the Ottumwa we want to be, the Ottumwa we can be. In spite of the circumstances, the history, the naysayers, true leaders are missionaries. They forge into unknown territory, the vision always before them. And they lead with clarity, as well as a type of contagious passion that, like a snowball rolling downhill, builds mass as it moves. Over the past seven years, Mark Hanson has built critical mass. His passion for the vision of THE Ottumwa High School will be, perhaps, his most valuable legacy.

To say that Ottumwa High School will miss Mark Hanson is one of the grossest understatements I can imagine. He will be sorely missed–as a leader, as a colleague, as a visionary, as a change agent, as a friend and as a human being. When I think, however, of all those he has mentored during his lifetime, I take solace in the knowledge that there will be other leaders who will take up the mantle of true leadership. In the Sanctuary of True Leadership, there is certainly room for more members. Many, many more.