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Teach a Child to Write, Teach a Child to Lead

Another sleepless night, to be sure. As of now, it is 1:34 a.m. I lay awake in my bed trying my best to shut my brain off, but it is to no avail. Thoughts keep roaming. It might have something to do with the cup of coffee I had just before bed, or perhaps that two-hour nap I took earlier may also be the cause. No, I think instead it is just because I worry. And because I worry, I also plan. Thus, my brain is more awake now in the quiet of the night than it was earlier in the rush of the daylight.

I keep thinking about the same thing: that is, of course, my students. Their current ability, their progress, their attitude toward learning, it is all on my mind. The question is the same as it has always been how can I best help them? As their writing teacher, and as a practitioner of the written word, I want them to be at ease with language and literature. Ideally, I want them to be masters of writing and consciously use written language to advance themselves in life. After all, a person who can count on his or her ability of words is a person holding a powerful tool, a hand of aces, if you will. Think of all they can achieve, following in the steps of some of the greats.

Let’s talk about that for a minute. You see, I strongly believe that if you teach a child the powerful skill of writing, then you are, in a very real way, preparing that child to be a leader and change the world. We need those children now more than ever, as the year 2017 is now upon us.

Please know that I am doing everything in my power to continue progressing their abilities. But it is not just ability that I focus on, it is attitude toward writing, too. It is absolutely vital that the children take a liking toward writing, without that interest, we are most certainly lost. I’m happy to report that in my classroom every single child has sparked an interest toward writing, and each child is showing more and more improvements. If I could make a suggestion to the writing teachers of the world, it would be to prioritize that interest as it is at the heart of student learning.

So yes, we are making progress. Still though, I think and plan, and plan and think, and think and plan some more. No war has ever been won before without careful strategizing. I do my part so the students can do theirs. I, for one, cannot wait to see how they use their writing skills and ability to change the world.


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