Classroom

Anyone Can Win on Any Day

Posted on by Debbie Howser

By. Craig Perrier

I always get excited for the NCAA Basketball Tournament.  Regardless of how my brackets end up, the energy and emotion on and off the court encapsulate the highs and lows of the human experience.  But, just like any drama, what is most captivating is what happens between the beginning and the end of the story.  The narratives, including the way they develop, ultimately become the essence of the experience.

One of the most common and celebrated narratives of “March Madness” is that any team can win on any given day.  Think about the number of references to “sleepers”, “dark horses,” and  “Cinderella stories” that can make or break a bracket.  What a compelling story!

That this story originates from higher education and involves successful, collaborative, goal driven, resilient students makes it compelling to be used in K-12 education. Think about that. How often do teachers and administrators express this sentiment to students?  Moreover, to what extent is the message clear, repeated, understood, and supported?

The Educator Marketplace can support stories of success in multiple ways.  The categories making up the list are just a few ways to enact the story.  The full narrative, however, happens over time.

  • Success in Academics: Learning digitally with  Targus or traditionally with Discount School Supply provide pathways to success in all types of contexts.
  • Success in Athletics:  Both Asics and Reebox honor what educators and students do.  To that end, both companies offer 20 – 50% off for both groups!
  • Success in the Arts: There are many ways to tell any story. Perspective matters and is better understood with the help of Michaels (15% educator discount) and Pinnacle (20% educator discount).
  • Success After School: A story of success should continue after the final bell.  With Headspace (free for K-12 educators, school administrators and support staff) and Blue Apron (educator and student deals) both the mind and body are supported!

Nurturing success stories in your classroom, school, and community, can impact the mindsets and actions of people.  Most schools want that story to be a familiar one.  But that doesn’t happen organically – taking intentional action is needed. It is never too late start writing that narrative!