---
title: "Next Steps"
date: 2016-07-25
url: https://learningischange.com/2016/07/25/next-steps/
author: Ben Wilkoff
categories: ["Blog"]
tags: []
---

# Next Steps

In my time at Denver Public Schools, I have held three official titles. I have had four direct supervisors and shared five different offices. I have created, shared, and contributed to over 5000 Google Docs. I have worked with hundreds of school leaders and thousands of teachers on projects big and small.

And that is why I am writing this blog post and sharing this video of thanks: [https://youtu.be/UqnwgC98Jis](https://youtu.be/UqnwgC98Jis)

First, I want to let everyone in DPS know just what they have meant to me. They have spurred my growth more than any other organization I have been a part of. They have given me more to think about and more resources to build with than I ever thought possible. They have made me a stronger collaborator and better leader.

And for that, I thank DPS, and more specifically, the amazing people there.

And yet, my chapter in Denver is coming to a close. My work, while not complete, is something that I am proud of and something that I hope will live on within those that I have worked for common goals with and learned from in the process. I know that our collaboration has directly and positively impacted the success of students, teachers and leaders throughout the district. And that fact is what I will take with me, bringing me encouragement in what is to come next for us both.

And what is next for me, you may ask…

I will be joining the [Equity in Learning team](http://equityinlearning.aurorak12.org/) at Aurora Public Schools to serve as their first ever [Director of Blended and Personalized Learning](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByXFNpMMmaw3M1RQdW5WUFlLcms/view?usp=sharing). This is an incredible opportunity to learn and lead in a neighboring district, one that faces many of the same challenges and opportunities present in DPS.

I embrace this new role, knowing fully that I am leaving behind some of the most capable and passionate educators I will ever know. This does not spell the end for our connection, though. Even as I try to build upon the work that Aurora has been pioneering with their [digital badges implementation](https://sites.google.com/a/aurorak12.org/teacherbadgetoolkit/home) and their [district redesign processes](https://medium.com/redesign-aurora), I know that I will continue to learn from my former colleagues in DPS. If you are one of them, please do not be shy about reaching out or asking to work together. I will only be a short journey to the east.

If you are one of my new colleagues in APS, I am so excited to be a part of your world now. I join you with eyes open and ears listening. I look forward to building something amazing with you. If you are interested in getting in touch prior to my full-time start date on August 1, I encourage you to reach out [on Twitter](http://twitter.com/bhwilkoff) or via district email.

And just so you didn’t think my former DPS colleagues were the only ones who were going to get a video, here is a video of me making various funny faces for you to enjoy and laugh at: