School is back in session in Culver City. A great deal of preparation has gone into getting things together for another successful year.
School supplies have been bought, teaching plans have been written, student schedules and classroom rosters have been assembled, and on the list goes. Feeling prepared lends me a sense of confidence and hope as I enter the new school year.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dave Larose, the new Superintendent for Culver
City Unified School District last week. He stopped by a teacher training I attended to introduce himself and give us all an inspiring glimpse into his vision for the success of our school district.
One quote stuck out for me, “Hope is a child’s ability to articulate their future, see and describe their future with enthusiasm and excitement, and with a deep belief that they can and will make it happen.”
I have found hope to be so important in my life and in the lives of my students. For me, hope comes from knowing that things tend to work themselves out when I stay positive and keep doing the little things that I can do each day.
With this simple plan, the big things seem to take care of themselves.
It is rare that I lose hope over the little things. I know that if I want a cup of coffee, I can likely find one somewhere. I know that I can physically get myself to a meeting, or to my car because I am in good health.
For me, these things are not real challenges. For others, they might be bigger challenges.
I work with students who have a wide variety of obstacles. Their challenges range from learning to read to figuring out which schedule will be best suited for maneuvering the campus in their wheel chair.
I recently worked with a student who was having challenges and seemed a long shot to earn his high school diploma. He had, in some ways, resigned to his belief that he was not going to get the diploma and that would be fine.
I was assigned to work with this young man for five hours per week to assist him in completing his classes. In that time I encouraged him to continue to take the small steps to complete his diploma. This included working off many hours of detention. Amazingly, he did earn his diploma.
The day that I informed him that he would be graduating, the smile on his face was priceless.
In the case of this young man, I was able to support him and help him to keep his hope alive. He did all the work and I simply reminded him that it was possible.
In order to effectively support others, I start by doing it for myself. By taking care of the little things that I can do, it is amazing what can happen.
So, as we start this new school year, I have the opportunity to remind myself that although I cannot see the finish line just yet, I can do the little things, and be hopeful that somehow I will get there.
I can be a model for my son and for my students who are embarking on their own, similar journey. So, here’s to a great year, full of hope and surprises.
