Creating a Culture of Critical Thinking and Compassion
“Grow love by the acre.” – Bob Goff
From my time in the classroom, I’ve found time and time again that people grow where they’re loved. From the shy and timid hiphugger (now turned cross country captain and student leader) to the anxious student who was struck physically ill by the thought of any type of mathematical assessment (she’s now a chemistry major), I have learned that an environment that is just the right balance of supportive and challenging, safe and risk-taking, loving yet demanding—offers the opportunity for its citizens to try new things, live at the corner of “yikes,” and just maybe, jump in the deep end of the pool.
The addictive quality of the educational industry is, undoubtedly, the intersections between the learner and his or her “light bulb moment.” That time when a frustrated student looks at a problem or piece of prose an entirely new way and suddenly, he’s made a real-life, tangible connection of understanding. For teachers, this is the “high;” these euphoric moments of epiphany are what drive us to go further, challenge us to think and teach outside the box, and inspire those in our charge to do the same. But the common denominator that reinforces these revelations lives within the mentor, coach, or teacher and the environment that he or she has created. More students need love and acceptance more than they need advice. The best educators strive to create innovative inventive environments so students can know—of course—but more importantly, to be known.
For certain, today’s students are earnestly begging for environments that are safe, secure, loving, and nurturing, but they’re also on the hunt for circumstances that provide just enough of a safety net for them to say yes and to fail big. Do you want to inspire a future generation rooted in resilience, magnanimity, and creativity? Give students room to question, discover, fail big, and ultimately, to try again—within the canopy of grace, understanding, and love.