I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying. – Michael Jordan
As adults, one of the greatest attributes we can model for young people is the ability to learn from mistakes. Failures are not a destination but rather a hurdle on our journey to success. We will fail, we will learn, and we will improve.
In our schools we must support students, challenge students, and push students. We must push students to their personal “edge.” Only when students reach their edge, only when students reach the edge of their ability, will they learn to adapt, adjust, and improve. School shouldn’t be easy . . . school should be a challenge. School prepares students for the real world – and the real world isn’t easy.
Education must be personal – each student has his or her own edge. From the gifted student to the student with challenges in the classroom . . . the edge is personal. Let’s commit to ensure that every student, every young person, has the willingness to accept failure in the face of challenges. As Michael Jordan reminds us, “the only failure is not trying.”