Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to focus on what we have instead of what we don't have. I try to remember to take a similar approach when helping kids develop their post-high school plans. When I find myself feeling frustrated with a certain student, as if I'm banging my head against a wall, most likely the reason is that I'm trying to fit them into some kind of box rather than flowing creatively with what they have to offer.
A recent example is one of my students who, from one perspective, appears "lazy" or "unmotivated" because he doesn't particularly like school. However, he loves riding his bike (not lazy!) and is actually known around L.A. as a trendsetter in that subculture.
For a while I worked at trying to get him to come around to a more mainstream path because he has the potential to be successful in college, but I met with huge resistance from him. Just last week it dawned on me that I was taking the wrong tack and I immediately called him in to get things headed in the right direction. I acknowledged his strengths and interests and asked him to brainstorm with me so we could find a satisfying, productive career path for him. Come to find out, he has already contacted the downtown bike courier companies for a job but they won't be able to hire him until after graduation because he still has to be in school during their business hours. (Once again, not lazy, not unmotivated!)
The point is, I changed my behavior toward him and that resulted in a change in his demeanor in response, because he was finally feeling respected and seen for the unique and valuable individual that he is.
In the vein of focusing on what's right instead of what's wrong, I'd like to share this 5-minute video about a young man from London named Steven Wiltshire, also known as "the Human Camera." He was diagnosed with Autism at 3 years of age but that hasn't kept him from having his artwork shown around the world, opening his own gallery in London, or being named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (for service to the arts) by Queen Elizabeth II.
I hope you find it as awe-inspiring as I do.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
