Dear Parents,
It is in our nature to want to protect our children and ensure that they easily succeed at everything that they do. We assume that finding success early on will predict success in the future.
In theory, this sounds like the best mindset to parenting. Research suggests though that this is not quite accurate and that failure is necessary for students to grow and develop. Furthermore, success can actually hurt us more, if we allow it to produce a false sense of security. George Couros suggests, “Success can be a catalyst for either success or failure, but it depends on how you use your past to fuel your future.”
That being said, I’m not advocating for our students to fail instead of succeeding. What I’m suggesting is rather that appropriate challenges can lead to temporary failures, which develop a great depth of character and resilience. The key is providing an environment that is safe, so that the blow of failure is cushioned by a supportive system. This includes encouragement and a redirection to allow for success, as another opportunity to overcome the obstacle is provided. Taken as a whole, a child will be able to bounce back and learn from the failure, allowing them to go further than they could have on the first attempt and producing a greater degree of growth over the long haul.
You may be wondering why I am sharing this with you.
As report cards come out over the next few days, I encourage you to support your children regardless of the initial results that they have produced. We want to partner with you in providing a safe learning environment where students can grow, whether from hitting the mark the first time or by learning from mistakes along the way.
We are in the business of character development and helping children become leaders for God’s glory. The school year is a journey and arriving at the final destination having achieved your goal(s) is most important.
Blessings,“The most effective leaders are those who realize it’s what you learn after you know it all that counts most.”
– John Wooden
(10-time NCAA National Championship-winning coach and inspirational leader)
J-D Lussier, Principal
