 After two weeks of practicing proportions and value, the endurance of my 8th grade students was starting to wane as they found themselves tiring only midway through creating a final portrait of a person of importance. Did they see growth? Sure, but a three-week project required perseverance and delayed gratification that most don't have the stamina for anymore.
On the eve of the Chicago Marathon weekend, I realized we were similarly "hitting the wall." When one has done so well for so long, sometimes the body no longer has reserves to finish strong. "We're at the edge of a cliff," I told them as we gathered around our center table, "and now is when we decide to fall or fly." Surveying our halfway finished pieces strewn across the surface, a simple, "Help them fly" prompted each person to share something they liked about a particular work. We followed that pattern until every student heard something encouraging to motivate them to continue ahead. Oftentimes we are under the false impression that we are individuals working alongside, but ultimately alone, in shared spaces. Small moments like this help us recognize that it is a shared responsibility in our respective communities to develop a culture of encouragement and kindness that propels everyone forward towards success. Comments are closed.
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