Wednesday, March 2, 2016

No Growth....

In the comfort zone. 

I reminded the students I work with that one of the purposes of a large fashion show is to get them out of their comfort zone.  The will feel scared, nervous, jittery, and a host of other emotions as the prepare for their big show.  I keep reminding myself it is their show.  I am part of the help system but it is their show and their grade.  I am watching some of the students stretch and grow.  Others are collapsing inward.  All the focus is on the show.  Then today, one of the students explained that a fellow student would probably not be there for the show.  I was already to rain condemnation on the absent girl's head.  Then her friend continued that the other girl's dad died and would be gone to bury him.  The fashion show suddenly seems much smaller in significance.  I'm reminded that there are many things bigger and harder than anything I am facing right now.  However, someone's challenge does not diminish my challenge.  May give me a bit of a different perspective but my challenge is still my challenge.  I am way out of my comfort zone.  I am challenging our students to get out of their comfort zone.  Encouragement doesn't come easily to me.  I learned by criticism and harshness.  I am working at encouraging while opening the students to different possibilities.  Jumbled thoughts as I try to calm down to sleep. 


1 comment:

Jenafer said...

you may really enjoy reading about the love and logic parenting system. the encouragement and teaching self reliance have been beneficial as I confront challenges of encouraging my kids. Love you.