Failure key in learning process
Graduation season is upon us. Across the Miami Valley, students and teachers, family and friends gather to celebrate the successes and accomplishments of another class of graduates. But what about their failures? What about the tests they didn’t pass, the games they didn’t win and their plans that didn’t come to fruition?
Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final and failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” So, how do we help our students develop the courage needed to continue?
First, we create opportunities for our students to succeed, to fail and to push their boundaries. Opportunities in the classroom, on the field, and in society are key to a successful community. We must continue to strive to move forward and improve, even when every attempt isn’t a success.
Next, we develop an understanding for dealing with the successes and the failures. When a child is cut from a team, fails a test or doesn’t get chosen for the lead in the play or first chair in the orchestra, it is a wonderful teachable moment. Cry with them, help them be angry in a productive way and help them redirect those efforts and energy. If cut from the volleyball team how about cross country? If not cast in the lead how about ensemble or stage crew? It is all about resilience.
At the recent dedication of Lane Stadium, Oakwood alum Doug Lane spoke of resilience and his words resonated with many who heard them. He said this field would be a place where we will see many wins and many goals but also many losses and missed shots. Where better for our children to try and fail than here, surrounded by loving families, caring teachers and supportive coaches?
Child psychologist Dr. Greg Ramey reminds us that reflection is the key. The real secret is to help children reflect and process their failures, not just ignore or sweep them under the rug. We can’t prevent failure, nor should we, but we must help our students process afterward in order to learn from the experience and give them tools to avoid making the same or similar poor decisions in the future.
As you watch the members of the Class of 2017 cross the stage at their commencement programs, remember it’s called commencement for a reason — it is simply turning the page and another mile marker in the long string of accomplishments for which we equip our children. But we must not forget to equip them for failure also.
“Failure is not an option” is a great line in the movie “Apollo 13.” But taken as a mantra for education or raising children, it is misleading and sets a bad tone. Henry Ford had it right when he said “the only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.”
Huber Heights City Schools will be participating in the federally funded summer feeding program from May 30 through July 27. The Nutrition Service Department will serve breakfast from 8-8:30 a.m. and lunch from noon- 12:30 p.m. at Wright Brothers Elementary School . Meals will not be served July 4.
This year the Relay for Life is a merger of residents from Huber Heights, Greene County, Riverside, Northmont and Oakwood. The new name is Relay for Life of the Gem City Area. The event starts Friday, June 9 at 6 p.m. and ends Saturday, June 10 at 9 a.m. at the Good Samaritan Field at Heidkamp Stadium in Huber Heights.
Along with raising funds, the Relay for Life is an opportunity to rally around those who are fighting cancer and to remember loved ones who lost their battle against this disease. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
Over 75 preschool children and families participated in the 2nd annual Preschool Extravaganza held at Wayne High School on April 20. This event is organized by the Huber Heights Early Readiness Coalition. Fifteen agencies serving preschool-age children conducted activities focused on early learning standards.
Wayne High School held its military signing day May 8 to recognize the 18 students who have volunteered for military service immediately following graduation. The guest speaker was Huber Heights resident Colonel Carl Peirolo (USAF retired) who spoke about the significance of their service to the country and performed a ceremonial oath of enlistment to conclude the event.
On May 5 the Wayne High School choir performed in a unique setting at the Festival of Music held at Kings Island. The choir performed on the stage in the Kings Island Theatre, and at the conclusion of the 15-minute performance, the group received score sheets and the comments from the adjudicator on their performance.
Wayne High School commencement will be held at Wright State’s Nutter Center on May 21 at 6 p.m. The graduates have earned approximately $5 million in scholarships to continue their education. The district is very proud of the 2017 graduates.
I was VERY shy and not very confident in my younger years. College is where I outgrew my bashfulness and became very self-assured. Mrs. Torro, my second-grade teacher. She genuinely cared about me, and what I was learning. I always wanted my students to feel the same way I felt in her class.
Never stop learning! I have learned more during my teaching and administrative career than any college course could ever teach me! Read articles, books, and blogs. Get involved in different groups/committees in your building and the district. I would recommend teaching different grades, subjects, and in different buildings.