When you think of school or education what’s the very first thing that comes to mind? A building with a lunchroom, gymnasium, classrooms…and the principle’s office? A teacher writing (an algebraic equation) on the board? Assignments and tests? How about your grandparents telling compelling stories about “back in the day”? Is school life? Or, is school all of the above?
As a teenager, I used to think school was a place, a building where we go to learn new things and if you “passed” you graduated (“passing” wasn’t good enough in our house – we had to excel – A’s and B’s). As I got closer to realizing my talent as an educator/teacher, I learned that school and education must include life experiences. I began to incorporate relevant life experience or examples into academic lessons and this became a major part of my teaching style. Furthermore, teaching became especially rewarding when my students responded to and appreciated the inclusion of personal anecdotes and hot news stories and gossip we hear in our daily lives. I also show students how life relates to the lesson at hand and why it is important to learn it.
When we change our perception of what school or education is, we open ourselves up to new, exciting and higher ways of learning and thinking. I truly learn something new every single day,
High school should be one of the most memorable times of your life. Demand it. Claim it. Don’t settle for less. Stay there and make it happen! To complete something whether it’s a task, assignment or goal and to do your very best, paves the way for great things to happen for you.
Change your view about school and your experience will probably become more meaningful and extraordinary in ways you never thought possible: you will attract appropriate friendships and support, you will enjoy learning, you will do better and experience a sense of accomplishment. Completion is a special sense of personal validation. Completion is dignity.
Do whatever it takes to complete. BUT do you……
BELIEVE. Do YOU truly believe you can stay and make it happen? Do YOU believe you can and will graduate? Give yourself a chance. See, it’s not the bully or other haters, it’s not your family, not even your teachers. It’s you, in your own way. Get out of your way now, GO HARD with your studies and….
WALK ACROSS THAT STAGE!™ I can’t tell you how crazy it is to graduate with your classmates. Ok, I’ll try. Let’s see…it’s like…it’s like….ok, here, I got it! (I think). Ever been on a plane for the very first time, and either you are excitedly scared or just plain excited as the plane increases speed down the runway, and just as it begins to take off….
Ok, that’s all I’ve got for you; I’m sure you get the picture. Anyhow, congratulations in advance.
Thank you for reading. Let’s go!
~ Quelyn
Teen Task: 1. Give yourself a chance. 2. Read everyday: a good novel or two, the paper, magazines, etc. in addition to your homework. You will notice improvement in your ability to write more creatively, clearly and intelligently. 3. Once a week or daily, jot down your thoughts, ideas, concerns, even pleasant moments in your journal. 4. For study tips read or re-read May’s Blog: Close Your Books and Take Out a Pen or Pencil 5. Discuss this blog with your parents or with people you feel safe sharing your thoughts.
Copyright©2010 Quelyn Purdie
Thursday, September 30, 2010
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