by Dr. Lance Gibbon

This week, I arrived in New Orleans on Fat Tuesday for the National Conference on Education, which began Thursday. I thought I might witness the full energy of Mardi Gras, but this year, some of the festivities were canceled due to weather. Even so, I reflected on what Fat Tuesday represents—the final day of celebration before the start of Lent, typically filled with music, parades, and a joyful spirit of indulgence before a season of discipline and reflection.

Then, on Wednesday, I noticed a shift. Many people walked around town with ashes on their foreheads, marking the start of Lent. The contrast between the revelry of Tuesday and the reflection of Wednesday was striking—and it got me thinking.

What if public education leadership embraced these rhythms of celebration, reflection, and intentional growth?

Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, and Lent may be religious traditions, but their themes have powerful secular applications for how we lead schools. Here’s how these ideas—without the beads and ashes—might shape how we lead in education.

Fat Tuesday: Celebration Before the Work

Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, is a time of joy and community. Traditionally, it is the last big celebration before Lent—a day to enjoy good food, gather with others, and take part in festivities before stepping into a season of restraint and discipline. In a typical year, the streets of New Orleans would be alive with music, elaborate floats, and people throwing beads from balconies and parade routes.

In education, we can learn from this mindset. When was the last time we truly celebrated before a big push?

Whether it’s gearing up for testing season, launching a new initiative, or pushing through the final stretch of the school year, we too often skip the celebration and go straight to the grind. But momentum is built through energy, and energy is fueled by joy.

• For staff: Before diving into professional development or goal-setting, create space to appreciate wins—whether that’s a simple breakfast gathering, a handwritten thank-you, or a fun team-building activity.
• For students: Honor milestones in learning. Wrap up a unit with something engaging, celebrate attendance gains, or recognize progress—not just outcomes.

Fat Tuesday reminds us that celebration isn’t a distraction—it’s preparation.

Ash Wednesday: The Power of a Reset

The day after Fat Tuesday is a stark contrast—Ash Wednesday is quiet, reflective, and symbolic of a fresh start. Traditionally, it’s a time to acknowledge struggles, commit to growth, and move forward with intentionality.

I experienced this shift firsthand when I visited St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the U.S., located in the heart of the French Quarter. The contrast from the festive atmosphere of Mardi Gras to the solemn, reflective mood inside the cathedral was profound. It reinforced how powerful it can be to take a step back and reset before moving forward.

In education, we also need reset moments—not just once a year, but throughout the school calendar.

• For staff: What if we had a dedicated “Reset and Refocus” day at midyear? A chance to step back from the day-to-day, reflect on what’s working, and recommit to what matters? Schools could provide structured reflection time for staff—without the pressure of an agenda, just time to breathe and recalibrate.
• For students: We ask kids to set goals at the beginning of the year, but how often do we pause to reflect on them? Imagine a mid-semester “reset” where students check in on their progress, identify challenges, and make a plan to finish strong.

Ash Wednesday teaches us that a fresh start isn’t about erasing mistakes—it’s about owning them and moving forward.

Lent: Focus, Discipline, and Service

Lent is a 40-day season of fasting, discipline, and preparation leading up to Easter. While not everyone observes it in a religious sense, the core ideas—self-discipline, mindful choices, and service to others—are deeply relevant to education.

• Intentional Focus: What if staff and students had a dedicated period to remove distractions and improve focus? A “40-Day Challenge” in schools could encourage staff to take a break from the news or students to cut back on social media, replacing that time with something purposeful.
• Commitment to Growth: Many people give something up for Lent as an act of discipline. In schools, we could flip this—what if staff committed to one small improvement in instruction or classroom culture? What if students identified one habit to build (more reading, more kindness, more perseverance)?
• Service and Community: Lent is also about giving back. This is a chance to integrate service-learning into the school community—whether through student-led projects, mentorship programs, or partnerships that connect learning to real-world impact.

Lent reminds us that lasting change isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about steady, intentional progress.

Bringing It All Together

I see meaningful parallels between the timeless principles of renewal, growth, and commitment and the rhythms of leadership in our schools. By embracing the ideas behind the celebration of Fat Tuesday, the reset of Ash Wednesday, and the focus of Lent, we can foster schools where:

• Success is celebrated before the hard work begins.
• Reflection is valued as a tool for continuous improvement.
• Growth is intentional and supported through structure and service.

As I step into this season and immerse myself in the National Conference on Education, I find myself reflecting on how I’m preparing for what’s ahead—not just personally, but in how I lead my school and community. This conference is already proving to be an opportunity to learn from thought leaders, explore innovative practices, and engage in conversations that challenge and inspire growth.

I invite you to join me in bringing together the best of what we learn—from tradition and from new ideas—to cultivate stronger, more intentional leadership in our schools. Because regardless of belief, leading in public education requires a deep sense of faith—faith in our students, our staff, and the transformative power of growth over time.

About Dr. Lance Gibbon

Dr. Lance Gibbon has dedicated over 30 years to serving students, educators, and families across Washington State. As the superintendent of Hood Canal School District, he is committed to creating positive, welcoming learning environments where all students can thrive. His leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including honors from the Washington School Public Relations Association, Best of Whidbey, and EarthGen (formerly Washington Green Schools).