How do you send your students off at the end of the year?

As the school year draws to an end, we are simultaneously looking forward to the close of the year while saying a sad good-bye to the students who have been in our loving care this past year.

Lance Secretan, one of the foremost authorities on authentic leadership, writes in his book One: The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership:

"Mastery is an expression of the love and passion we have for an activity--the degree to which we are one with it. If we want to achieve mastery in anything--and therefore be inspired by our contribution--we need to direct our full, loving presence to one thing at a time, and accomplish it brilliantly, rather than do many things adequately. With people, this happens best when we focus our resources and talents by slowing down, empathizing, and serving others--by giving that rare gift: our full, loving attention." (p. 150)

What better way to give our full loving attention (something that's often difficult to do during the school year!) than to let our students know how they have touched our lives?

Find a way to let your students know what they have meant to you. Write a card to each student thanking them for being in your class and let them know what quality or trait they possess that you are grateful for or have recognized in them.

You could also pull each student aside over the course of several weeks and let them know. A card, however, is something that they can carry with them as a constant reminder of their worth.

Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an administrator, focus on slowing down, empathizing, and serving others by giving your gift of full, loving attention!

If you find the information in this newsletter of value, please forward it on to your colleagues and friends.

If you have an idea or story to share related to this topic, please drop me an email!

When Kids Think They Can, They Will! The Teacher's Guide to The Student Success Mindset™ - See It On The Web Site or Buy It Online

Activities in personal growth and development.

The attribution should read:
'By Linda Tarr of Da Vinci Learning Technologies, Inc. Please visit Linda's Web Site (www.studentmindset.com) for additional resources on personal growth and development for adolescents and teens.' Make sure the link is live if placed in an eZine or in a web site.)

-- Linda L. Tarr --

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