“You’ve got momentum. But there’s also concern.”

Chapter 25 + 26 of The Ruckus Maker Flywheel

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Chapter 25: Write Your Own Rules

The hallway buzzed with second-period energy — sneakers squeaking, lockers clanking, laughter ricocheting off painted brick.

Jordan stood beside Mark, the superintendent. His tailored jacket still had the fold from a recent dry-cleaning run. He was polite, curious, and just skeptical enough to make her stomach tighten.

“Tell me what I’m seeing here,” he said, nodding toward a sixth-grade classroom.

Through the glass, a student stood at the front of the room holding a laminated card. Behind them, a whiteboard read:

Clarity | Confidence | Culture

Jordan took a breath.

“That’s part of our pod structure. The students designed those routines. They check in, set intentions, and use the Flywheel language to frame their day.”

Mark gave a polite smile. Neutral. Maybe slightly amused.

They kept walking. A bulletin board shouted in bold Sharpie:

Breakthrough Blueprint in Action: Do you get it? Want it? Can you do it?

“I’m running weekly check-ins with staff using those prompts,” Jordan explained. “To see where we’re aligned — or not.”

Mark nodded again. “Hmm.”

They turned the corner. Jordan could feel the heat creeping up her neck.

Finally, Mark stopped walking.

“Listen,” he said, folding his arms. “There’s a lot of attention on your campus right now. I’m hearing things. Social media posts. Parent feedback. You’ve got momentum. But there’s also concern.”

“Concern?”

“About consistency. About whether this approach is sustainable. Whether it aligns with district goals. You’re coloring outside the lines, Jordan. That can be... tricky.”

There it was. The moment her vision was tested. Not cruel. Not overt. But crystal clear: Conform or prepare to defend yourself.

Jordan’s pulse ticked faster. She knew this script. She’d delivered it herself, once upon a time.

But not today.

“We’re not chasing trends,” she said, voice even. “The Flywheel gives us language. Alignment. Autonomy with integrity. And the culture shift we’re seeing — that’s real.”

Mark didn’t flinch. “Culture is hard to measure.”

A voice chimed in from behind them.

“It’s not that hard,” Andre said, walking up with a folder in his hands. “You just have to know what to look for.”

He handed Mark a sheet.