A new time of year has begun—Facebook is filled with back-to-school photos, families are getting into routines, and you may be delayed a few minutes on your way to work as you get stuck behind a school bus.
It’s hard not to notice the joy on children’s faces as they get ready for their new classroom and to reconnect with friends. Over the years, though, this joy slowly fades away and you see older students dreading going back to school.
Why is that? While 13 years of reading and writing can be exhausting for students (not including two or four more years if they choose to continue their education), it seems to be more about how we communicate with kids. When they should be eager to learn new things, they instead hear comments such as: “Bummer, it’s time to go back to school,” or “Just four more years and you’ll be done.”
As adults, we seem to take this into our careers. How often do you hear someone complain about having a “case of the Mondays,” or talk constantly about how they can’t wait for the weekend?
This negative attitude towards school and working leads into comments about opportunities in our area, too. A general thought among students is that they have to leave Venango County to be successful and find a job. Where do you think they hear this from? More often than not, it’s the adults in their lives, like parents and school staff.
Think of the impact we could have if we changed the way we communicate with younger generations. If we were to make them eager to learn, show them what it’s like to be excited about a career, and share with them the opportunities for success right here in Venango County.
No one wants to spend their days just going through the motions of school or a job. Life should be spent enjoying the day—no matter what it brings. Back to school is an exciting time of year. How will you play a part in rising up positive and eager children?
(This was inspired by a Peter Greene column in The Derrick. & The News-Herald. Find it here.)
Photo credit: Clarion University, Venango
