Patience, Empathy and … Graduation!
For years, I have listened with patience and empathy as parents of soon-to-be graduating seniors shared the multitude of feelings that arise at the end of their child’s 13-year educational journey.
I realize now I have been listening as an educator and administrator focused on ensuring each student was somehow provided every tool needed to achieve their hopes and dreams.
Even throughout the twoyear exercise we concluded last summer, that explored and created our “Portrait of a Graduate,” my mindset remained laser-focused on the overall experience that school offers to students and their families– rigorous academics peppered with all the traditions that evoke memories before, during and after the reunions and gatherings that occur at regular intervals following a student’s acceptance of his or her diploma.
Then it hit me–in about three months, MY son will be one of those “graduated” members of the Class of 2022. In the meantime, my wife and I remain active participants with him as he weighs all the factors and determines which campus will become his “home” for the next several years.
The hopes and dreams we had for him when he first entered this world (which I swear feels like yesterday) remain. I also have hopes and dreams for every Springfield student. With the support of a diverse committee, composed of students, teachers, parents, community leaders and residents, we crafted a portrait of a graduate that motivated us to individually and collectively consider what students need to succeed both in today’s classrooms and the unknowns of the burgeoning 21st Century and its global economy.
Our world is changing so rapidly that kids like my son and daughter are being asked to prepare for occupations that don’t yet exist. Plus, they’re doing so in the midst of a global health crisis.
Despite all the pauses, pivots and challenges, I believe our portrait remains the collective vision that articulates our greatest aspirations for all students.
When I introduced the portrait at the beginning of the school year, I referred to it as the “North Star” that is guiding our district’s transformation.
Its framework includes six specific competencies that best reflect our overall vision for students and graduates. Those are:
•Adaptability to respond productively to feedback to negotiate and balance diverse views and beliefs to reach workable and flexible solutions.
•Communication skills so they can effectively articulate thoughts and ideas using all methods of communication to confidently inform, motivate and persuade. I also want them to listen effectively to acquire meaning, knowledge, values, attitudes and intentions.
They should recognize the importance of literacy in all forms of communication and also be nurtured and supported with the tools, respect and opportunities to use their voices.
•Critical Thinking to collect and study information that is backed by data to form a positive outcome that may need to be revisited as more details become available.
•Integrity to earn each other’s trust and respect through honest, principled behaviors by consistently demonstrating care for the interests of the larger community and greater good.
•Leadership to consider, value and respect others’ opinions, beliefs, feelings and cultures, and be willing to make sacrifices for the good of others.
I also want our graduates to recognize adversity and persevere with sensitivity, concern and respect to build relationships with trust and compassion, thereby creating an environment that empowers growth through collective strengths, ownership and action.
•Perseverance to believe in themselves enough to overcome adversity and embrace the opportunity to learn and grow from all experiences to make themselves a better person.
I have worked hard to encourage these six competencies in my son (my daughter, too). In truth, what I will always want for my children and yours is that they are well prepared to become lifelong learners and contributors in our complex, rapidly changing world.
I want each to know they are loved, capable of loving another and empowered in their choices. I want them to know failure should never be an option or an “end;” that while we may not always agree, we can seek a common ground by employing one of the most basic pillars of character that is celebrated in our pre-kindergarten to 12th grade classrooms–respect.
So, I hope this year many of you will offer me a little of that same patience and empathy I mentioned before, as my emotions swell for all members of the Class of 2022–especially the one whose last name just happens to be Geha.
