dvances are made by those with at least a touch of irrational confidence in what they can do.

--Joan L. Curcio

Dr. Curcio was the first female professor in Educational Adminstration at Virginia Tech, and a leader in mentoring and enhancing the professionalism of women in education. She began her career in the early 1970s as a teacher in Fairfax County public schools. She rose to department chairman and then became principal of Fairfax High School. She later served as an associate professor of educational administration at the University of Florida. She conducted research and wrote articles for professional journals on child-abuse law, sexual harassment and teacher performance and evaluation. Joan was also a co-founder and editor of the Journal for a Just and Caring Education.

She was a twenty-first century pioneer who championed the rights of children and perfected the art of mentoring women leaders in education. Dr. Curcio's works were established at Oxford University, and she coordinated the annual “Educational Leadership and Ethics Conference” held at Oxford from 1989 until 1999.

It was very moving to hear the women who knew Joan share their experiences with her. She loved writing and the quotations shared in the group inspired us all.

You may be familiar with some of her quotes:

Jump into the middle of things, get your hands dirty, fall flat on your face, and then reach for the stars.

We teach what we learn, and the cycle goes on.

Courageous risks are life-giving, they help you grow, make you brave, and better than you think you are.

The experience inspired me. I met wonderful educators from all over who brought great insight and experience with them. We all had a great time learning from each others'presentations and stories. I discussed using Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership model here in Las Vegas with, What Happens Here, Stays Here? I Think Not! Situational Mentoring in America’s Fifth Largest School District. I think Situational Leadership is a great lens to view our school work through. We should always be assessing the potential of those working with us and actively help them reach their it. I was glad that what I had written about my work in Las Vegas seemed to fit into the themes of the conference.

I had a great time visiting Oxford. Seeing the architecture and meeting the students was fun. We got to live in the Exeter College dormitory and eat in the dining hall. The meals were exquisite! On the last day of the conference, we toured Rhodes House and Kate Harris, a Rhodes Scholar from Canada talked with us about her educational experiences. Just breathing in the atmosphere was a once in a lifetime experience.

The activities and learning from the conference rejuvenated me. It reminded me that we are a profession dedicated to children, and to the future, both theirs and ours.