I have told the story of Carlie many times this year. Whether in keynote speeches or private conversations, Carlie Suris remains a powerful inspiration for me. The notion that we all have different points of entry for maintaining a growth mindset is a key component of building an effective community of learning. Carlie reminds me not to overlook the importance of small gestures and how sometimes the little things are big.

Carlie is always ready with a winning smile

Carlie sits in a regular classroom chair...

...because she can