The Power of #Yet

One word.

One word, three letters.

One word, three letters, powerful impact.

One word, three letters, powerful impact, for all students.

All students, all teachers, all human beings benefit from the power of yet.  We are all lifelong learners in education, regardless of the role that we play.  We model what we expect from our students, from our colleagues, and from each other.  We all benefit from the power of yet.

This is not a brand new idea, in fact Carol Dweck has a tremendous TEDx Talk on yet.  It is worthwhile to view the entire 11:19.  I highly recommend you carve out the time to view this if you haven't already.

Yet offers so much in the way of possibility, so much in the way of options, so much in the way of authentic learning.  I cannot think of a more simple, more meaningful way to embrace a growth mindset in our young people and those around us.  The science is there, the data is there, the reality is that "yet" has far-reaching impacts on the learning environment, the home environment, and in our lives.

It is clear that every human being has abilities are capable of tremendous growth.  I urge all of us in MPS to embrace the notion of yet to ensure that every single student in our district has the opportunity to experience firsthand, the power of yet.

While teaching in Chicago, I met a veteran teacher on my first day of school.  While walking into our opening in-service, I asked him what he did.  "A little of this, a little of that," he said.  I couldn't be prouder to tell him I was a department head.  Turns out he taught foreign language, and had attended the school we were working in.  His college years were the only ones since high school in which this gentleman had not been present in the school.  He had wisdom, experience, and mission more than anyone else when it came to that school.  When I asked him, how he kept coming back to teach and serve, he answered, "If I ever wake up one day and think I've figured it out, then I'm going to quit."  After all those years, he still hadn't figured it all out.

Every single child in Montpelier Public Schools, PK - 12, is entitled to a public education, grounded in the power of yet.  Every single child in Montpelier Public Schools, PK - 12, deserves the possibilities that come with the power of yet.  Every single child in Montpelier Public Schools, PK - 12, can grow with a framework guided by the power of yet.  Please commit to the power of yet.

One word, three letters, powerful impact, for all students.

One word, three letters, powerful impact.

One word, three letters.

One word.