The Mismatch: Success in School vs. Success in Life
Welcome back to the Shhhh It’s Time to Listen Blog, and I’m coming in hot with an epiphany I recently had. And now that I know it, it’s crazy that it's taken me this long to recognize this, but school made me a TERRIBLE adult, business owner, and educator! Big statement…I know, but I’m standing 10 toes down on that belief.
The Mismatch: Success in School vs. Success in Life
I, like so many of you, am a recovering perfectionist, and a large part of my perfectionism comes from being a “good student.”
What were the makings of a good student when I was in school?
🔻Sitting quietly and listening to ALL instructions given
🔻Never questioning the teacher
🔻Getting the answer right on the first try
🔻Always getting an A
🔻Never need an extension or a revision
And doing it all with a bright smile on my face.
But guess what? Life doesn’t follow those same rules! I can’t sit quietly in a meeting and expect everything to magically fall into place. I can't always get the answer right on the first try, and smiling through every challenge might just make people think I'm weird.
So, here's the epiphany - success in school doesn’t always translate to success in life! Who knew, right?
Think about it - we've been conditioned to believe that the pursuit of perfection in academics is the golden ticket to success. But in the real world, we're faced with curveballs, uncertainties, and moments that demand creativity and resilience. No perfect A+ can prepare you for that!
Perfectionism in the Classroom: Unintended Consequences
Now, let’s bring this back to our classrooms. Are we unintentionally creating a culture of perfectionism for our students? Are we only celebrating the right answers and not encouraging them to learn from their mistakes? Hmm...
As I reflect on my own journey, it's clear that the pressure to be a perfect student stifled my ability to embrace imperfections in real life, leaving me feeling unprepared for the world around me. At the start of this blog I made a blog statement, and I meant it! There are many times where I feel like a terrible adult because I can’t meet the expectation of being perfect, getting it right on the first try and taking the risks necessary to be the success I want to be in the education space.
So, let’s break the cycle, shall we? Its time to give students the problem-solving and critical thinking skills needed to step out of our classrooms prepared to create the life of their dreams; ready to embrace the uncertainty that is sure to come on their path forward.
Exciting News: Our Offerings at Black on Black Education
And speaking of breaking cycles, let me share some exciting news. We have finalized our offerings at Black on Black Education! We understand that "Black on Black education" is a much longer and stronger tradition than "Black on Black crime," and we are committed to getting that message out to as many educators as possible.
When we give students the space to be comfortable, confident, and seen, we give them the opportunity to show up. In 2024, we are here to support educators and school leaders in creating dedicated spaces for young people to create the solutions to the problems our schools are facing. How? Through our….
🔻Student Action Board Curriculum
🔻Student-Centered Classroom Toolkit &
🔻Student-Centered School Culture Toolkit
All three launching Feb 29th, along with the full version of the Black on Black Education documentary.
And stay tuned! Next week we are going to rethink student success, taking a holistic approach to teaching and leading where students take the lead.
See ya next week!
