New Year, New School

As a busy, completely re-energizing summer draws to an end, I'm excitedly planning my renaissance at Westport Middle School. The school has a reputation for being a "rough" school - one that does not seem entirely fair or deserved, especially when I consider the lack of a reputation my last school had at all, despite its challenges. Several people have looked at me wide-eyed when I've told them about the change, slowly shaken their heads and said something along the lines of "Good luck; you're gonna need it!"

Maybe it's just the teacher in me, but I find this not only rude, but also unnecessarily demoralizing and discouraging. When I hear about people going into tough situations - whatever the field or circumstance - my initial response is: "Oh, you can definitely handle that," - without a touch of sarcasm. On the phone yesterday, my brother said "competence is ninety percent of the battle in life." I totally agree, and it all starts with believing you can do it, believing you can become competent. A rhyming teacher refrain comes to mind: "If you believe it, you can achieve it."

There is research to support this notion as well. Children who are repeatedly told they will go to college, who are told they can achieve at high levels, who are told they can be resilient in the face of adversity, do just these things: they go to college, achieve at high levels and overcome obstacles in life. Those who are told the opposite, believe the opposite and are far less successful.

So when I hear adults pontificate negativity and discouragement, it really strikes a nerve. I believe I was lucky to get hired at a school that's undergoing reformation and complete restructuring. The faculty and administration is something like 75 percent new to the school, hired based on merit and not seniority, a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh, energetic first year teachers. Beyond the good fortune of joining a school that's undergoing positive change and appears to have a fighting chance at successfully moving forward, I don't need luck this year. My kids and I will do just fine on our own merits.