We typically can’t see the roots of a living thing. They aren’t as visible as the weeds which grow untamed. Roots are down deep. Strong roots are vital to maturity in the development of our students thus giving them wings to soar.
If left unappreciated, and unsupported, those wings will atrophy.
This is a great responsibility for educators to make sure we are saying and doing the right things, developing wings with which to achieve dreams.
This blog is written as a poem, supported by wisdom, inspired by Spring, and the words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
"There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children.
One of these is roots, the other, wings."
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Springtime is a joyous season that also brings with it a myriad of bothersome weeds. With veracious speed they spread their seeds, making it difficult to halt their breeds.
Fertilizer vows to preempt their emergence, but it fails to serve as a real divergence.
Some can be removed by grasping them close to the ground to extract all the roots, but it's exhausting bending over to pull them up while not getting ants in the boots.
Such hassles are simply part of this life, as important lesson are learned in the strife.
"Strong and bitter words
indicate a weak cause."
— Victor Hugo
Growth of bitter roots can be seen in schools among those who have found disfavor. Not to be confused with bitterroot, a hardy flowering plant some use to add flavor.
Unmet expectations and unresolved conflict offer rich soil for bitterness to grow, allowing unchecked feelings of hurt and anger that incite destructive words to flow.
Wings atrophy under the weight of feeling unappreciated, unsupported, unsung.
How will we teach them to fly if we fail in the prerequisite of mastering our tongue?
"For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings
I will sing for joy."
— Psalm 63:7
Strong roots are vital to maturity, where values, purpose, and relationships enable deeper courage and curiosity to flourish in ways that are rare if the core is unstable.
Education absent the roots of Truth and Wisdom is like a compass without a needle, masquerading as a tool for reliable direction yet being worthless for thinking people.
Purpose and Discovery give lift to wings that enable the pursuit of higher dreams, so we give them daily all we've got and more because educators go to great extremes.
As an educator, success for our students is ours to foster. Bless them with roots and wings as you elevate their view. Because the difference between whether they soar or sour is you..
