The Riverwalk Roar
Happy Sunday, Pride!
I hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, fun, rest, and relaxation. I know I loved getting some time with my own family this week, and even managed to sneak in a few moments of rest, relaxation, and reflection. Having that space to slow down and “forward think” is something I’m really grateful for.
As I was enjoying a quiet moment, I found myself scrolling through videos and came across one that really stopped me. I’m going to be vulnerable for a second… I know I’m “not supposed” to say this, not as a man, and certainly not as the leader of an amazing school, but I often find myself wrestling with self-doubt. As the Head of School at Riverwalk Academy, I find myself thinking to myself: Am I leading in a way that’s having a positive impact, or as a parent, “am I finding the right balance between guiding my daughters and giving them space to grow?
The video was of Gary Vaynerchuk, the entrepreneur and social media voice, and he said something that hit me square in the chest:
“So what would I say to people who have self-doubt and are looking for validation from themselves? I think you need to blindly fall in love with yourself.”
What struck me most is how quick we are, especially in education, to extend grace and belief to others but rarely to ourselves. We push, we serve, we pour out, and somewhere in that, we forget to give ourselves credit for the impact we make. If you find yourself battling those doubts too, I hope you’ll remember: your work here is seen, it’s felt, and it matters more than you realize.
As we head into December, a month that can feel both exciting and exhausting, I hope we’ll all carry that reminder with us. We want to finish this semester (and 2025) strong, and I know we will. But strength doesn’t have to mean running ourselves into the ground. Sometimes it’s choosing to pause, breathe, and offer ourselves the same kindness and belief we freely give to others.
So as we move through these next few weeks, let’s not only show up for our students and for one another, but also for ourselves. Celebrate the wins — big and small. Take care of your energy. And remember that each of you plays a meaningful role in this community.
We’ve got a busy stretch ahead, but we also have an incredible Pride, and I’m grateful to be part of it.
In Pride and Purpose,
~Dr. Compton
Monday: 12/1/2025
- iReady Reading
- iReady Reading
- MS Student Council Meeting 7:15am (Room 126)
- Attendance Recovery 3:00-6:00pm (Collab Room)
- HS Basketball vs CA Johnson 6:00pm
- iReady Math
- YCI Club Meeting 7:30 (MS) / 8:00 (HS) Student Collab Room
- Attendance Recovery 3:00-6:00pm (Collab Room)
- iReady Math
- Attendance Recovery 3:00-6:00pm (Collab Room)
- MS Basketball @ North Central 5:30pm
Friday: 12/5/2025
- HS Basketball @ Midlands 6:00pm