Stephen Bigelow, PhD - Education Leadership

  Since moving to Brazil, I’ve been overwhelmed by the varieties, flavors, and appearance of fruits. I'm encountering fruits I’d never seen or heard of before: jabuticaba, caju, pitanga, graviola, and countless others I'm trying to figure out how to eat (and pronounce). Even familiar fruits like papayas, bananas, and mangos taste sweeter and more fragrant here. Our campus has several trees with fruit, and before picking any, I always ask a local if the fruit is poisonous. I can't imagine a school would have poisonous fruit trees, but it's always best to be cautious and check. Today, I noticed green clusters swaying in an uncharacteristically strong Bahian breeze. I asked someone what they were. "Mangos". I then asked when they would be ready to be picked? "Later". Leadership, like the mango, depends on patience, care, and timing. When we rush something, whether in ourselves, others, or our programs, we rob the process of its effectiveness. The most ...

  I’ve been spending a small amount of time in Buenos Aires, and it’s reminded me of one of the best parts of travel: perspective. I’m always struck by regardless of location, people are people. Kindness shows up everywhere and is overwhelming. What we experience through media usually doesn’t reflect reality.  Learning Portuguese is adding an interesting twist to my short stay in Buenos Aires. With some Spanish background, my brain now mixes the two languages. I find myself answering in Portuguese when someone speaks to me in Spanish before I can stop myself. I’m mainly getting by in a mix of PortuSpanglish (pretty sure I just made up a new word) and plenty of hand signals.  It’s a good reminder that life, like language, is about intent more than perfection. When people see you’re genuinely trying to connect, they meet you halfway. Empathy always translates.

I hosted my first Brazilian barbecue, also known as a   churrasco . Like life in Brazil, there’s an art to it: the rhythm of the grill, the endless variety of food, and the great company and relaxed pace. Brazil isn’t confined to formal spaces; it thrives in backyards, stadiums, parks, streets, and people’s homes. These informal gatherings foster understanding and bridge gaps that language alone can’t. Sharing a meal with others has a way of eliminating any barriers and showcasing our humanity. I also attended the Bahia vs. Flamengo match, and the atmosphere was absolutely electric. I have been to numerous sporting events over the years, but this one was on a different level. The stadium literally pulsed with color, drums, and pure emotion. When Bahia won, I could literally feel an atmospheric change in the air. It occurred to me that the emotion at the game was really about belonging to something bigger than yourself, even if just for a few hours. As a leader and as a newcomer, I’...

  This week I find myself on a 7th grade field trip in the Chapada Diamantina National Park, an extraordinary collection of waterfalls, caves, rivers, and mountains in the heart of Bahia, Brazil. As I watch the students journaling about their experiences, I can’t help but think about how life comes full circle. When I was their age, my mother (a teacher) made me write detailed reflections after our family trips, especially if they had historical or geographical significance (and they usually did). At the time, I hated it. It felt like “schoolwork” was invading my time. Ironically, the 7th grade teachers here have given the very same assignment to their students. And just to complete the circle, my Portuguese tutor gave me the same task assignment, but I have to respond in Portuguese. So here I am, years later, appreciating what I once resisted. The discipline of reflection is an inportant mindset. It’s a way to anchor experiences so they don’t slip away unnoticed. Life does come fu...

This weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to golf in Praia do Forte. Tradewinds from the Atlantic on one side, palms and cacti on the other, and a playful, tiny monkey hopping onto the cart to join in the moment. Between the soothing sounds of the surf and the unexpected visit from our curious little friend, my mindset shifted. Despite several awful shots that went nowhere near the intended target, I chose a different path than the customary frustration. It was absurd to dwell on a single swing when surrounded by such beauty, as is often the case. Some leadership lessons learned from a round of golf: Every missed shot is merely feedback. Acknowledge it and move on. – Gratitude broadens your perspective. – Embracing joy improves performance. Relax, breathe, and swing. – Life is filled with abundant opportunities. Seize and savor. If you’re searching for a sign to shift your focus and fully immerse yourself in the present moment, this is it.  

  When I was a kid, I used to watch reruns of  Gilligan’s Island.  One episode that stuck in my mind was when Gilligan found himself trapped in quicksand. I remember thinking,  Is quicksand even real? And if it is, what would it feel like? Yesterday, I found out. I set off on what was supposed to be a beautiful 15K trek around Pituaçu Park, a massive nature preserve in Salvador. About 5 or 6 kilometers in, I came across a bridge under construction. My options were either to turn back or trust the makeshift logs someone had laid across the river. Choosing adventure, I opted to cross (of course) and tried not to think too hard about what might be swimming beneath me. The moment my left foot hit the soil on the riverbank, it began to sink. Slowly at first, then deeper and deeper until my outstretched right leg kept me from going any further. After what felt like forever, I managed to pull myself out, but the jungle had claimed my sneaker forever. I peeled off the other ...