
This is the time of year when stress, fatigue, and anxiety start to creep into our daily lives at school. While I have observed tremendous success with the 7 Habits and The Leader in Me, I have noticed that not all students seem to be getting it. In some instances, we may even see students regress.
When things seem to be unravelling is precisely the time we must recommit ourselves. Keeping the faith and staying the course requires that we keep the big prize in mind. Consider our Vision ~
All Students Succeed in a Future They Create. Consider our Mission ~
We Engage and Encourage Students and Staff Every Day Through Meaningful Work in a Safe and Caring Environment. Consider our district belief statements and examine your own beliefs about children and education. Does our work with the 7 Habits and the Leader in Me directly correlate with our Vision, Mission, and Beliefs? If it does, then you must have faith that this will ultimately lead to great results. You must stay the course even when things get tough, and they will get tough.
Consider that students come to you with various background experiences, different cultural values, and widely scattered academic abilities. Students are going to internalize the principles of the 7 Habits at different rates. Some students will come to you ready to go on day 1. For some students it will be a work in progress that may last years. Don't lose your faith in the principles of the work. Even if you don't see monumental change in some students it doesn't mean that you are failing or that the child isn't getting something out of it. There is no perfect timeline for children when it comes to learning anything.
Focus on the big prize. Consistently go back and recommit yourself to your beliefs about children and education, our mission, and our ultimate vision. Your daily work in this endeavour is invaluable, even if you don't always see the immediate results. What tools are you using to keep the faith and stay the course?