Make Your Mark A Good One by Being Courageous

by Thad Falkner, Head of School

At Wilson, we strive to make our school motto, Make Your Mark A Good One (MYMAGO), a way of life.  Each year we choose one of our nine MYMAGO themes to focus on as a community, and this year’s is Being Courageous.  Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the willingness to act in spite of our fear.  So why and how do we equip our children to be courageous?

The “why” of equipping students to be courageous may seem obvious; the people we admire most and who have changed our world for the better are very often characterized by courage.  We want our kids to stand up for what they believe, even when that seems daunting.  However, being courageous isn’t just for those big moments.  Courage is also integral to making the day-to-day decisions and taking the risks necessary to grow in all aspects of life, including social and academic.  When we give students the opportunity to try (and, importantly, fail at) things that seem frightening, they develop resilience and confidence.

So, how do we do this at Wilson?  There are too many ways to name them all, but following are a few that come to mind:  

• We share stories of people from all around the world who have demonstrated courage, whether it’s through our social studies curriculum or books in our amazing library.  Even our youngest children can be inspired to think how they might act courageously, just like a favorite book character or historical figure.
• Children at Wilson also have the benefit of regularly taking risks in a safe environment, such as speaking in front of the school at an assembly or being stretched in math class.  Because our teachers know and support their students, students are empowered to step out of their comfort zones and grow.
• Our focus on social-emotional growth also emphasizes the importance of developing courage for difficult conversations and situations.  Through teaching, modeling, and daily experience, Wilson kids grow in their ability to handle challenges and conflicts productively.

Make Your Mark A Good One by Being Courageous can be something kids practice at home, too.  Children often assume that adults don’t get scared like they do, or that acting in the face of difficulty is easier when you’re older.  You can share with them developmentally appropriate examples of when you had to be courageous.  You can also recognize and praise progress as they work to be courageous, whether it’s in learning to ride a bike, read a book aloud, or initiate a conversation with a new friend.

I’m looking forward to growing in courage with the Wilson community this year!

For further reading:

• Why Courage Is More Important Than Confidence
• How to Define Courage for Students
• How to Teach, Model, and Foster Courage in the Classroom