What if every one of your students believed you felt this way about them...

You do realize that you have 100% control of whether your students 

believe this or not, don't you?

Can you imagine how hard they'll work for you?

Sir Ken Robinson and I had a meeting of the minds yesterday

He has been talking about creativity in education long before this TedTalk but it's the most watched TedTalk in history. 

I had the privilege of listening to Sir Ken Robinson present at a Creative Learning Institute yesterday. He was witty and a little rambly (like rambling -- pretty sure that's a British word) and said some things that hit me right between the eyes. 

Here are a few that I can't get out of my head:

• What you monitor you prioritize. So in America, (and in most countries in the world) we prioritize reading, writing and math, with some science. Based on what we assess and test, we do not care much about music, art, dance, history.... Sir Robinson says Art and Dance and Music should be equally as important as reading, writing, and math. 
• “Dropout” implies that the kid failed the system. But it's really the system that failed them. We dropped them.
• In 2013 the NFL made $9 billion. The movie box offices made $11 billion. Companies that create tests for education (not PD or support, just testing) made $16 billion!
• There are two worlds: 
• The one that existed before you were born and will be there after you leave
• And the world that began when you arrived and will end when you leave
• Our goal: get students to understand how to be successful in both worlds and how to work within both of these worlds.
• There are a lot of things that are legally required of schools (NCLB, CCSS, etc.). But most things that happen in school are done out of habit. It is what your school does that are not required by law (habits, school culture, priorities, etc.) that will have the biggest impact (positive or negative) in the education and future of your children.

Every child deserves...

"Every child deserves an education from someone who believes in them, who truly believes that this child is capable of becoming 

whatever they dream. 

This adult refuses to hear labels. This adult does not want to know how previous adults underestimated this child. When a child has an adult who believes in them in this way, that adult will authentically treat that child as something precious, possibly for the very first time in that child's life."             -Rob Darling  :) 

The consequences of Education

http://rw.runnersworld.com/images/raveruns/june_2014_raverun_1920x1200.jpg

The impact of education is possibly the most significant and consequential endeavor that will ever exist. 

However, the children being impacted by education are the least likely to fully comprehend it’s value. Their ability to see long-term is limited.  

That is why you (parent, teacher, paraprofessional, custodian, volunteer, neighbor, principal, relative, ROLE MODELS) are so important. 

I used to run. (Don't judge my current physical condition, there's an athlete under all of this still, somewhere....) From 2005 - 2012 I ran 13+ marathons (and hundreds of 1/2 marathon if you count all the long runs. I just could never get myself to pay for a half, since I ran them weekly for free. Sorry Halfers, but it's still only half. :P )

I ran with a guy who ran XC and the steeple chase in college. Brilliant guy, one of my most prized friends. He pushed me and challenged me and made me faster and puke, which I did not enjoy. But his most lasting advice was: 

               

"When things get tough, some runners look down. They focus on the next step. But not only does it make it more discouraging, it physically takes a toll. Your chest closes, your shoulders tense, your neck strains. Look up. Always look up. Focus on a location down the trail and work towards that. Once you reach it, pick another. Then another. Good runners focus on where they're going, not where they are."

We need to help our students see the end, not just each step that it takes to get there.