by Dr. Michael Ford
For generations, we’ve told students that the foundation of their education is the “Three R’s”: Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. But in today’s rapidly changing world—where knowledge is infinite and connection is everything—that framework feels outdated. The real pillars of effective education today are Relationship, Relevance, and Rigor. When these three forces work in harmony, schools become places of transformation, not just information.
Nothing happens in a classroom until a relationship happens first. This isn’t a slogan—it’s reality. As a school principal, I’ve seen test scores improve, discipline issues drop, and teacher satisfaction climb in buildings where relationships come first. Students thrive when they feel seen, respected, and cared for. When a teacher knows their students’ interests, challenges, and goals, instruction becomes personal, not mechanical.
Building a culture of trust among staff is equally important. Professional learning communities, hallway conversations, shared leadership—these aren’t extras. They’re the glue. When educators feel connected to their leadership and each other, they bring that same presence and intentionality into the classroom. As Dr. Michael Ford, Principal, I’ve always led with the belief that people, not programs, change schools.
Too often, students ask: “When will I ever use this?” That question isn’t an excuse—it’s a challenge. And it’s our responsibility to meet it. Relevance means designing curriculum that matters to students' lives. It’s about helping them see themselves in the content. It’s integrating real-world problems, project-based learning, and student voice.
In my leadership journey, I’ve championed hands-on learning and career-aligned pathways that let students connect math to mechanics, science to health care, and reading to social justice. When learning feels real, motivation follows. Students stop playing school and start owning their growth.
Rigor isn’t about piles of homework or trick questions. It’s about depth, not difficulty. True rigor challenges students to think critically, ask questions, collaborate, and persist through struggle. It means holding high expectations—and providing the scaffolding to reach them.
Rigor without relationship feels cold. Rigor without relevance feels pointless. But when students are supported by strong relationships and can see why the work matters, they’ll rise. I’ve watched struggling learners become confident scholars not because we made things easier, but because we made things make sense.
Relationship. Relevance. Rigor. These are not buzzwords. They are the foundation of schools that work—for all students. In every building I’ve led, I’ve returned to these principles when things get hard, when change is needed, or when success needs to be sustained.
As we think about the future of education, let’s stop pretending we need something shiny or new. The real answers have been here all along—and they start with the Three R’s that actually matter.