Hope

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