This past weekend I had the opportunity to go skiing with my son. We haven't done much skiing this year due to lack of snow, the winter basketball schedule and various other commitments. It was nice to get on the mountain and get my "ski legs" going again. I've been skiing my entire life, competing on ski racing teams and going to Vermont and Colorado. However, after college, I really have only gone a few times a year. It's a nice activity that I get to share with my son and he can get a glimpse of his dad reliving his past! If you have never been skiing, the trails are marked by symbols. Green circles mean beginner trails, blue squares means intermediate trails and black diamonds are for advanced skiers. Every once and awhile, depending on the mountain, there is the "double black" diamond which means experts only. After skiing the green trails to get ourselves going, we assessed our progress and moved to the intermediate trails. It's fun to go fast and the trails are usually a bit longer. It wasn't long before the advanced trail was calling my name. As I stood at the top of it a kid who couldn't have been more than 10 or 11 years old came up next to me. He asked me what the "black diamond" meant. I told him it was meant for experts. The hill was steep and that it was for skiers who have been skiing a long time and know how to turn really well. He said, "I can turn, I'm going to try it." Just before he took off, his father, who must have been behind him, came up and said, "You aren't ready for that yet." That was my cue to go but I could sense that the young man wanted to give it a try. I made it (safely) down the hill, breaking out some of my racing turns from back in the day. When I looked back up I saw the dad and his son coming down the hill with dad leading the way, modeling how to turn all the way across the hill. While I didn't wait for them to get to the bottom, I couldn't help but smile because the young man obviously convinced his dad that he could do it. I remember my son doing that to me too when he was learning to ski. Sometimes you just have to let them try it for themselves. As scary and time-consuming as it may be for the dad, it is where the learning (and confidence) can happen for that child. Isn't that similar to what happens in school? "Signs" may say that the question/assignment is difficult. As students sometimes they are too afraid to try because they think it is too hard (The Dad). Sometimes they want to try it because they think they have the skills they need, demonstrated by accomplishing easier tasks (the young skier). What is necessary is confidence, persistence and a little bit of modeling. The benefits of exposing our students to more challenging material can be beneficial, no matter how long it may take. While that young man may not be an expert yet, what he gained from the experience is that someday he can be and there will be support systems in place for him along the way to help get him there. In classrooms throughout our schools, there are green circles, blue squares and black diamonds. There are also students waiting, looking at the signs and perhaps ready to take a risk, to step out side their comfort zone, to challenge themselves. There are also some who are happy staying on the green trail. One way or another, we are helping our students work their way down to the bottom of the mountain by giving them confidence, persistence or maybe even a little bit modeling. No matter how long it takes or how difficult the path may be, I will see you at the bottom, ready to hop on the lift to do it all over again with you. Black diamonds here we come.......
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Richard M. HayzlerA life long educator and current Principal of Pequannock Township High School in NJ, Rich is excited to share his ideas and thoughts about education and how we can change the world for our students and our staff. Currently Reading
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