Welcome To Winegard Elementary School!
Having grown up with struggles in learning to read, I am keenly aware of the desire to give up when life got hard. I remember my parents taking me to doctors. They were trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I remember all of the tests. I’ll never forget the navy blue watches I wore on my wrists and ankles to track all my movements. Finally, I was diagnosed with dyslexia and border line hyperactivity in first grade. The diagnosis didn’t fix the problem I had with learning. There was no quick fix and in the same way, there is no quick fix for students without hope.
On more than one occasion I have been told by students, “The struggle is real.” I believe when someone learns to make it through the struggles they possess an edge in life. Adversity not only helps you realize the struggle is real, but gives the opportunities to be great. However, history shows that not all people who battle adversity and tragedy turn out the same way. So the question is, “What makes the difference between someone who overcomes adversity and someone who doesn’t?”
As parents, teachers, and influential mentors of young people it is our responsibility to take notice of the mindset of our children. The time has come to speak life into them and hope into their futures. We will do this by believing in them and not reacting to their choices in only negative ways. Part of teaching young people to move forward in life is to help them reflect on their choices and get them to see that every choice matters. When they realize they have the power in their hands to create a path to be successful, then we can help them visualize a plan to get them where they want to go.
A growth mindset needs to be cultivated within children and their eyes need to be opened to the potential they possess, no matter where they currently live or the challenges they currently face, there is hope. A growth mindset understands that hard work and never giving up is the key to success. It takes work, lots and lots of work. But not just random work. It takes purposeful work.
It begins with hope. Hope in something better than what we currently have. Then faith in that hope sparks belief that something unseen can happen. The belief in a better future fuels hard work which changes things for the better and feeds a growth mindset. And grit is the power to never give up and persevere until the dream is a reality.
Winegard is where learning is a treasure! Where hopes and dreams are cultivated! Where everyone grows!!
Christina Howell
Principal