As we enter another school year, our 18th as a company, there are very few things I would change if I were starting the company now. One thing I would do, however, is not name it after myself. While I am incredibly proud when referring to the Donovan Group, the last word in our name makes me proudest.

As Donovan Group’s founder, I prefer keeping a low profile. Our great work speaks for itself, and I love when my colleagues step forward to receive well-deserved attention.

There is never a day that goes by when I am not impressed by my colleagues’ talent, professionalism and commitment to service and our mission. They are truly amazing people, and I am humbled to work alongside them.

I am most grateful for the group part of our firm. I am so happy that, in addition to the wonderful people who already compose this group, we continue to add outstanding people to our team and increase our service offerings as we do so.

I am also glad and grateful that you are viewing this post on our new website. While we have helped dozens of public schools and districts improve their websites, the phrase “The cobbler’s children have no shoes” has applied to us in this regard. We hope you like this new website.

Despite all of the changes we have made over the years, there is one that we have not made and will not make: our focus on mission.

As I have said time and again, I went to college to be a social worker. However, lacking the emotional fortitude to do that work, I needed to find a different way to serve. I like to think that the work my DG colleagues do for public schools and districts helps all children and advances public schools.

To this day, I keep a note above my desk with three letters: MVK. This is a reminder that if I do my job extremely well, somehow, in some way, my work will help the most vulnerable kid (MVK) in the school district.

After all, the power and the beauty of public schools is that they serve every child. In public schools, “all” means truly means “all.” And that includes the most vulnerable kid in every school. I think often of that kid.

As we go into this school year, I have great hope about the future of public schools, hope about the promise of a great education and, like you, hope, prayers and encouragement for the MVK.

Thank you for the opportunity to support you, and thank you for the work you do to advance public education and the students, families and communities it serves.

Joe