It is amazing what kids can do when we believe in them.
I received the most amazing email tonight from the the mom of Emily, a student I recently wrote about and the the fantastic things she brings to our school. I was stunned by the response from so many people around the world who Emily inspired.
The best part of the day however, was the email I received from Emily’s mom tonight.
Hi George.
What do they say, it is not whether you win or lose, but it is how you run the race? Tonight, my daughter, for the first time had a chance to run a literal race and according to her ‘she won a ribbon.’ She didn’t place first or second, not close at all. Despite accommodations to have her in a lower age category, rather than with the almost nine years old she would have otherwise been placed with, she finished dead last. What she won was a participation ribbon and the personal satisfaction that she could do it and… that she did!!!
What amazed me was that she didn’t care about possible failure , she was just happy to get out there and participate with her peers. Her tiny little, size 5 legs worked triple time over the 800m course accompanied by her ‘ partner’ Mrs. Cameron running with her and cheering her on! Though victory, by our standards, was implausible for her, victory was hers the second she was given the chance to even try! Thank you George and Nancy, fellow parent, for encouraging the impossible to become her reality. As a mother I hesitated to allow her this opportunity and worried about prospective failure. The only failure for the day would have been not letting her spread her wings and fly!
Thank you. Alison.
This is not about a test score. This is not about academic success. This is about believing in our children and seeing them do amazing things.
Is that not what we want our schools to be about?
Congratulations Emily on your big day! You made our entire school proud 🙂
