The students often offer me the feedback that “I’m too nice.” or that I need to be “stricter” because some<\/em> students take advantage of my kindness. My retort: I believe in principles such as accountability and integrity. I believe that it is my responsibility to help students LEARN from the choices they make, good or bad. Finally, I believe in my students – but sometimes they break my heart with the CHOICES they choose<\/span><\/strong> to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I ask you to consider: When you choose<\/strong> to play games, instead of taking the opportunity to reflect and grow as a person, as a writer, what is the cost? When you choose<\/strong> to lash out at others because you are disappointed in yourself<\/em>, how does that impact those around you? Ask yourself: What kind of habits: mental, physical, and emotional are you practicing?\u00a0 How do those habits help or hurt you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The thing with high school – there are a lot of things that distract us from what’s truly important.\u00a0 You already know it’s not grades or drama.This LIFE thing is not easy – and definitely a minefield to navigate through…. but if there’s anything Zahraa taught\u00a0me, it’s that BEING a GOOD person, and approaching life with an OPEN heart – no matter all the drama and struggles and challenges – THAT’s what really MATTERS.\u00a0 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Last week I had a student write a compelling argument against grades. She ended her bell-work, her longest yet, with “Thank you for coming to…<\/p>\n
(HUGS)<\/p>\n\n\n\n