Bart Teal, President and CEO of Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, writes a letter to fellow educators about the importance of excellence in education. He states that a positive school culture is the most important factor for success and that now is the time to make education a top priority and raise standards so all children have exemplary opportunities. Teal believes sharing best practices will help improve education worldwide and enrich students' lives.

1. Letter from Bart Teal President, CEO and Founder of Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc

2. Fellow Educators Each day we have the opportunity to share in and model excellence in education. The team here at Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence welcomes each opportunity to make a difference in a child’s education by instilling passion in educators to continue to develop and learn.

3. Our Message The Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence message is simple; a positive culture is the single most important make-up of a school and determinate of success. We are at a crossroads in education with budgets reducing, class sizes increasing, and with the sentiment of many communities being satisfied with mediocrity. As a result of such challenges, we are missing that drive for excellence that has been a cornerstone for our communities.

4. Now is the time Now is the time for us to become involved and make EDUCATION the top priority in our country. I believe that this is an obligation that we must have for our children. Let’s make this moment the opportunity for us to raise the bar of educational excellence and create a design that provides exemplary opportunities for all children and all schools.

5. For our children My love for children has been a driving force in my life, and I understand the importance of providing all children with the opportunity to succeed. As we all know, many students who experience poverty do not have the same opportunities as those in more affluent circumstances. I feel that it is our mission to share our knowledge with all educators to foster a positive culture and to close the gap.

6. For our children (cont’d) People across our land continue to give me hope that, together, we can find ways to improve the quality of life for all people, regardless of where they live, through the power of a quality education.

7. Best Practices Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence creates a dynamic environment for educators to collaborate and network regarding the best practices that enable all children to achieve. Lets join ranks and rededicate ourselves to improving education for all children so that they can become powerful instruments in improving, not only the quality of life in our country, but indeed the whole world.

8. Thank you The stakes are too high for us not to succeed! Thank you for all you do for children! We trust that you will be inspired to be the best that you can be – and carry that inspiration back to your students to enrich their lives.

9. Best regards, Bart Teal, President/CEO Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc.