What I Learned…
Another school year has come to an end, and I think I have learned something very, very important. Although I definitely have views on education and the education system as a whole here in America, I want to focus on one particular aspect. It seems to me, from a very personal viewpoint, that we are trying to “protect” our children from all the evils and harsh realities that we believe are all around us. We can’t. Most simply stated, as parents, as educators, as those who care deeply about the youth in our nation, we can not protect them from all the evils, ills, and dangers that inhabit every corner of the world in which we all live currently.
This is sobering, to say the least. What we can do though is teach our children the skills and abilities to handle ALL that life will throw at them, because LIFE will get to each of us, no matter how protected. I work with some youngsters that have been brutalized by life at a very young age, and the most important thing I have learned is if you can somehow create CONFIDENCE… confidence in themselves AND confidence in you and those that care for them, each one of these kids is capable of AMAZING things!
I CAN NOT protect these kids. Life gets to them in some pretty harsh ways. But I CAN help them soar, even if their wings and bodies and minds and spirits have been bruised and battered. No matter one’s past, I “teach” confidence. Confidence to soar, to rise above, to move past what once was and move toward the life they deserve.
This school year… what did I learn? These kids need me and I need them. One of the most beautiful lessons ever!
Your students are lucky to have you beside them, helping to fight for positive change in their lives.
I think so many parents today do a phenomenal job protecting their children from fear, hard work, danger, hurt, negativity…but you’re right. The question is, SHOULD they? Of course not. But as a parent it’s SO hard to allow your child to fail and it’s WAY too easy to want to protect them–though in the long run we’re doing them a disservice by protecting them so fiercely. Life’s most important and enduring lessons almost always come from mistakes, bad decisions, and tough experiences.
We probably all need a little more grit in our lives.
Yup! I certainly realize the irony in writing these words as a “non-parent” and not having to deal with the moment-to-moment desire to protect your child… that is absolutely real and valid… and VITAL! But yea, it is such a delicate line… I will just continue to do what I do and feel blessed for the opportunity to work with the kids with whom I get to work.