Calvin Coolidge and "Press on"... Guest Author-Part 2

How long did it take to build the Golden Gate Bridge?



 Stretching wires and building the cable to suspend the bridge deck, one strand at a time.  The Golden Gate Bridge is quite the monument to persistence and resiliency.

 

Resiliency and continuing on, even in the face of obstacles, is at the top of our educational outcome.  Preparing children for a future we don't know about is our greatest charge! Teaching and helping others learn to overcome real and imagine barriers becomes our highest and truest calling.  Teaching people to learn, by preparing them to think or consider and address abstract and obscure concepts becomes the true outcome of authentic public education:  preparing citizens, able to solve problems ethically and morally.

A few years back, Calvin Coolidge wrote about persistence.

PRESS ON

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. 

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

Calvin Coolidge

Value Risk,
As students learn about learning, learn about themselves and  if they come to the understanding they may learn differently then others, they develop resiliency.  A term, locus of control, refers to the concept of control or destiny or being in charge of your own life.  As we mature, we recognize things we do have effect on our lives but sometimes, others have more control over our lives than we feel we do.  One component of education is the awakening or awareness of our actions leading to our own consequences.  Work hard, and it may lead to improvements.  Slack off and others may pass us.  Folks struggling with major obstacles, either succumb to the overwhelming challenges of become a shining model of success. Resiliency and staying the course, even with struggles matters most.  Ask Thomas Edison and the light bulb story:  He learned many ways that did not work, before he got to the right one!

(Over 4 years to assemble the Golden Gate Bridge, with a total of 80,000 miles of cable.)

Regarding Fear or Hope: 

A post or two ago, a reader responded with, "Well, I think it depends on the child. Fear works with the older, social one. The fear of a lost privilege or missed opportunity (no cell phone, no TV, no going out with friends). Hope works with the younger one because he is more serious, less social and needs/wants positive feedback. Just my thoughts as mom, but, I like the question, and I like that it makes me think about what works or doesn't work for my parenting skills."

(A tee box at Pebble Beach, CA: no, I did not play there)

 

What will it look like when we are #onthemap? 

Perfect?  No.  Better? Yes!  Confident yet humble.  Aware but relaxed and excited while steady!