My grade 12 students are studying the novel Ordinary People by Judith Guest. This novel’s opening line in the first chapter…To have a reason to get up in the morning is powerful and provides encouragement for teenagers. As a result of meaningful conversations, I get to know my students even better when they share their guiding principles and drawings in their writer’s notebook. I believe that we must live for today and enjoy life. It was once said beautifully by Rabbi Malomet, “people’s sense of fulfillment can be identified by five crucial signs: contentment, hope, awe, meaning/purpose and deep connection,” (edutopia.org, Feb. 2017). Martin Luther King Jr. also confirmed that intelligence is not enough; we must build character. Our classrooms need to be places where teachers weave in social and emotional learning as well as academics. Last Friday our students received their semester one report cards and I articulated to them to be proud of their improvements and to celebrate those accomplishments with their family.
The importance of taking ownership of our values and defining what is important to us clearly resonates with myself. Therefore, I have confidence to reinforce students in guiding them toward their fulfilment.
Uncommon Beauty in Writing 