The view from the outside in: Hatrick Elected to National Post

We live in a funny little fishbowl here in Loudoun. The bloggers, reporters, activists and leaders are keenly focused on everything that happens within our borders. Some local leaders are even criticized for thinking... and traveling... outside of those borders. It's interesting to discover how these leaders are perceived by those outside, and many are surprised to know that Loudoun County Superintendent of Public Schools Dr. Ed Hatrick has a powerful reputation statewide.

Dr. Hatrick has also been active on the national education scene, and last Friday, Dr. Hatrick was elected President of the American Association of School Administrators. He is past president of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, which is an affiliated organization to AASA.

What is most important to the people of Loudoun is Dr. Hatrick's work locally to create a great school system for our kids. I am sure that most will be pleased with the national recognition that Dr. Hatrick has received from his peers, and with the increasing role that Loudoun will play on the national stage during this pivotal time in American public education.

Here's what I wrote to Dr. Hatrick last night when I heard the news:

Loudoun is very lucky to have you, and so is AASA. I hope this means that your voice will be a larger part of the national conversation about education, and that the current national emphasis on education will become a larger part of the conversation here in Loudoun.