I’m an unabashed fan of the television series The Bear. I’ve breezed through all three seasons, savoring the beautiful portrayal of a group of people coming together around a shared vision to make the impossible possible. The story of a humble sandwich shop transforming into a fine dining restaurant, with aspirations of becoming the world’s greatest, is nothing short of inspiring.

Without giving away spoilers for those who haven’t seen the latest season, I want to share a brief scene that recently came up in a conversation with Meghan Lawson while preparing for our new podcast, Hope Amplified. It’s no secret that Meghan and I admire the show, having discussed it at length on my other podcast, #PrincipalLinerNotes.

Talking with Meghan is always a meaningful and uplifting experience, and I’m eagerly anticipating our upcoming discussions on the art and science of hope in a new podcast we are co-creating called Hope Amplified. As we were mapping out our inaugural episode, we both recalled a powerful scene from the Season 3 finale of The Bear.

In the scene, the chefs and restaurant staff gather for an impromptu afterparty, marking the bittersweet closure of a renowned restaurant. The head chef—celebrated worldwide for her culinary brilliance—decides to prepare a midnight snack for the guests. The host, a rising chef, hesitates when the famous chef finds only a few modest ingredients, including a frozen pizza. Yet, the renowned chef isn’t deterred. With creativity and mastery, she transforms those humble ingredients into something extraordinary. It’s a moment worth watching, as she turns a frozen pizza into a culinary delight.

As we reflected on this scene, we saw it as a fitting emblem for hope. The show itself is a deep, reflective series filled with life-affirming moments of perseverance, collaboration, and innovation. In Hope Rising by Casey Gwinn and Chan Hellman, hope is defined as the belief that the future can be better than the present, combined with the understanding that we have the power to make it so.

Educators strive to embody this belief every day. Even with limited resources, they create transformative experiences in the classroom. I think of the teachers I have the privilege to support as principal at Charles England Elementary, who cultivate hope daily, opening new possibilities for our students. I’m reminded of my 5th-grade teacher, Mrs. McMonagle, who saw something in me—a young, awkward, light-skinned African American boy—that I didn’t always see in myself. She revealed the possibilities within the written word and storytelling. I also think of my first teachers, my parents, who taught me to dream big, walk with purpose, and hold my head high.

Teachers need many things, but at the core is the hope that they can make a difference in the lives of children. It’s the leader’s role to ignite that hope by fostering a sense of belonging, trust, and open communication. Leaders must call out hope and passionately embrace the possibilities it brings. It’s not just a sentiment but an essential, strategic action.

I’m thrilled to dive deeper into the art and science of hope in upcoming episodes of Hope Amplified with Meghan. Some may argue that hope is not a strategy for leaders to depend on. While I understand that perspective, I disagree. Hope isn’t merely a strategy; it’s a must. It’s an essential thread in the daily fabric of our schools, shaping the lives of those we serve. Without hope, we have nothing. With it, we have purpose, potential, and the catalyst for meaningful change. Don’t let anyone deprive you of that spark. Hope on.

Stay tuned for the debut of Hope Amplified, launching November 2nd. Meghan and I invite you to join the conversation and share your thoughts on hope using the hashtag #HopeAmplified. Here are three small moves for leaders to inspire hope in your school:

1. Impromptu Restorative Circle: Gather colleagues and teachers for an informal circle to share what gives them hope.
2. Hope in Action Bulletin Board: Showcase experiences from your school where hope is making a difference.
3. Hope Playlist: Curate a playlist of songs that inspire hope and share it with your faculty.

Let’s continue amplifying hope together. #HopeAmplified