Hope
I particular enjoyed Jensen’s thoughts on hope. Hope is the belief that circumstances will
get better. It's not a wish for things
to get better, it's the actual belief that things will get better, no matter
how big or small. In the education field,
hope is imperative. Our beliefs and
assumptions about students shape outcomes.
We need to be telling kids why they’ll succeed. Many students today see no viable future for
themselves. We need to help them believe
in themselves. Kids for all backgrounds
need to hear this message. Our conversations need to shift from “if” to “when”
as we talk about graduation, college, careers and futures. Our efforts can
change that learned helplessness outlook.
Positive thoughts, learned optimism, goal setting and encouragement can
go a long way towards instilling hope in all children. Hope is an emotion that starts in the
heart. Every student should feel it.
“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors
into windows.” - Sydney
J. Harris
