Term 1 done

Yesterday, Randy and I attended Student Led Conferences at our children's school. We are quite used to what we called Parent Teacher Conferences, in which we come, usually without the child, to see all that the kids have done over that time period and hear from the teachers their assessment of how our child is doing. Last night was different.

Each of the children were prepared to walk us through their Math, Writing and Reading books and show us what they'd accomplished. They walked us around the room showing us the projects they'd completed. The teacher was there to answer any questions but the night was truly student led.

Micah had a full powerpoint presentation ready for us in which he discussed his goals and his progress in achieving them as well as aspirations he had for the next term.

Randy and I were impressed.

I am known for saying, many times, that a successful person is someone who knows themselves; their own strengths and weaknesses. A successful person is constantly setting goals, and evaluating how the skills that they possess match up to what is needed in order to achieve those goals. A successful person is always striving to acquire new skills, to be challenged, and enjoys the process, not just the end point. A successful person is not afraid to adjust those goals when need be. I think that having the children start that practice of introspection and forming a vision as early as possible aligns so well with my own personal philosophy. Often when I would speak to adolescents and young adults, I would tell them that it is never too early to have vision. You cannot achieve a goal that you haven't even thought of.

Hearing my almost 7 year old appreciate and be excited about the progress he has made in a short time and report on what he wants to get better at by the end of the next term is so darn cute.

All of the teachers spoke highly of the children and have expressed what we also see- that they are adjusting and thriving and belonging and making connections and learning, all while having a good time . What more could we ask for?

By the way, I think I'd mentioned before how beautiful the campus is. The majority of the classrooms look out onto the view of the ocean and Mount Rangitoto

Now for a two week Fall holiday.