Letter from the Superintendent - May 2014
“It is my extreme pleasure to recommend (fill in name here) for your (scholarship, college, possible employment, etc.)” That is how those letters of recommendation begin. I write many of them, as do teachers, counselors, principals and other adults in a young person’s life. We write about accomplishments, awards, grades, extracurricular achievements and so on, trying to get across the point that your son or daughter is deserving of receiving something that many other students are also applying for. For many committees it is a very tough call to make. There are other things that I hope that students get out of the formal schooling process, however.
I came across an article by C. Mielke entitled “What Students Really Need to Hear” while reading the dozens of articles I read every night trying to keep up with all of the news and politics related to education and legal matters. If you come across it I highly recommend it. I guess the main thrust of the article is that are so many things other than academic subjects that teachers are trying to teach students that are so very important. They come from holding students accountable for attendance, having them do assignments and turn them in on time, trying to do something that may be more challenging than they have ever done before, and maybe even not understand something the first or second or third time they try to do something.
Life can be harsh, working with someone you don’t get along with may not be easy, pushing yourself to do something when it would so much easier to just get by is tough, but these are the things that happen in life. Those who are successful develop resiliency, learn to overcome adversity, and this is what prepares students for life after school. School can be tough at times, but most of us face many more difficulties in life that are much more difficult than anything we ever faced in school. We try to teach students to face challenges, face your fears, and not quit when quitting would be so much easier. A direct quote from this article states: “You are either the muscle or the dirt. You either take resistance and grow stronger or blow with the wind and erode.” Strong words, but it is why we ask students to do more than they think they can do. So they don’t end up quitting, drifting away, and not be able to deal with the tough times. Having said that, I feel good about the students who are graduating this month. They’ll be prepared to face the tough times, dig in, and get it done. I’ll miss you guys, and we will always be here for you. Congratulations, job well done.