As a principal, I’ve seen a lot of things. But nothing prepared me for the day last year when I got “a-quack-ed.”

Imagine this: I walk into my office, ready for a typical afternoon of emails, meetings, and decision-making. But something’s off. There’s an unusual sense of stillness in the room, a quiet—too quiet—until I notice a tiny yellow beak peeking out from behind my computer monitor.

And then another.

And another.

Suddenly, I realize there are mini plastic ducks everywhere.

A Ducky Invasion

In my pencil cup, perched on top of the bookshelf, nestled inside my plant pot. There’s even one floating in my half-full coffee cup. As I look around, trying to figure out what on earth has happened, I spot a card sitting on my desk.

The card says: “You’ve been a-QUACK-ed! Find the 100 ducks. From, Theo.”

Ahh, Theo! Evidently, he and his educational assistant (EA), Mrs. Marlene Kammenos were responsible for the a-quack.

I couldn’t resist.

I called Theo over the intercom, trying to sound as serious as I could, and asked him to come to my office. Not 30 seconds later, I hear footsteps. Theo comes jogging in, wearing a big guilty grin, absolutely beaming with excitement. He knew exactly why I had called him.

His grin said it all: “Mission Accomplished.”

The Well-Planned Operation

As it turns out this wasn’t a random act of quackery—it was a well-planned operation. Theo had been working on counting to 10 and making groups of 10 that equal 100 for weeks, and his EA found the perfect way to turn it into a memorable and meaningful experience. What better way to celebrate reaching his goal than hiding 100 plastic ducks all around the principal’s office and leaving me to find them?

As I start counting and collecting the ducks, Theo eagerly helps me spot the ones he’d hidden in the cleverest places. One is inside my desk drawer. Another tucked behind a stack of papers. There’s even one hidden in my coat pocket. With every duck I find, Theo bursts into laughter and counts along with me, as proud as can be.

It’s not just about the ducks anymore. It’s about making connections and celebrating learning in a way that’s joyful for him.

A Silly, Shining Example

This moment, though silly on the surface, was a shining example of how we embrace differentiation in our school.

Theo learns best through tactile, playful methods, and this carefully orchestrated prank became a creative vehicle for practicing his counting skills. Not to mention, he strengthened his communication skills by sharing the entire experience with me.

Theo’s ducky invasion brought joy, laughter, and a whole lot of learning into my office.

What I love most about this whole event is how much it reflects the incredible staff we have at our school.

Theo’s EA knew how to connect with him, harness his interests, and turn them into an engaging and unforgettable learning moment. This is what our school is all about: finding innovative, fun ways to help students learn, build relationships, and feel confident in their abilities. This wasn’t just a playful prank—it reflected the positive, inclusive learning culture ACS nurtures.

And just when I thought it was over, I looked on the back of the card and saw the final instruction: “Now it’s your turn. Use these ducks to a-quack someone else.”

Challenge accepted, Theo, challenge accepted.

As I sit here, still finding stray ducks in unexpected places, I can’t help but smile. Learning doesn’t always happen at a desk with pencil and paper. Sometimes, it happens with 100 little plastic ducks, a lot of laughter, and a big sense of accomplishment.