There is a sense of magic in the air. Good things abound.

I am grateful and encouraged through educational partners in the community. This week, one of our local school superintendents, Dr. Valerie Truesdale and two of her top administrators, Dr. Sean Alford and Dr. Catherine Smith, presented a unique concept to two leadership bodies and won unanimous endorsement to move forward in their planning. On the TCL side, Dr. Gina Mounfield contributed to this bold plan. All deserve gold stars for their hard work.

Visionary leaders stepped up to endorse a concept that has core subjects at its foundation, and it takes a shot at blending high school and college instruction into an initiative that holds unique promise to participants. It involves lots of details, so I don’t want to go too deep right now. Instead, my point is to acknowledge the champions who care so much that they get involved in leadership initiatives through board service. My heartfelt appreciation goes to volunteers who serve on the TCL Commission, led by Chairman Angus Cotton and the Beaufort County School Board, led by Chairman Fred Washington.

When good things happen in our schools, both secondary and postsecondary, it is because of the efforts of people who are smart and who care greatly about their communities.

I sat and watched people process a concept called the Whale Branch Early College High School. I watched and observed how dedicated officials, some appointed (TCL) and some elected (Beaufort County), helped shape and endorse a concept that is unique. I asked myself, why do these people care so much? The answer is about leading and sacrificing. They sacrifice their personal resources, including countless hours of time, so that our students have opportunities and our community is uplifted to a higher level of regard through education.

The value of an education is not always dissected the way it ought to be. Nor is the element of sacrificial leadership, the kind that I saw firsthand this week.

My highest commendation goes to the servant leaders of boards of education for their sacrifice and their commitment to building a better community through education. We all need to recognize the commitment it takes to unselfishly serve so that others have a chance of making it as we transform our communities and the Lowcountry region. Yes, it’s indeed magical. Good things abound.