Three years ago, I was contemplating my application to the Learning Forward Academy. I had heard wonderful things about the opportunity, yet at the same time I had reservations. I was concerned that the experience might not align with my school environment. There seemed to be few graduates from the northeastern United States, an area of the country that often has smaller school systems that operate somewhat differently from the county system used in other states. As I reflect on my experience, I realize that none of that mattered. No matter the size, systems are systems. I have found my experience with the academy to be rewarding. The network of people, the experiences at the conference, and the new learning I came away with each