Being "intentional"

There is a lot of conversation in education recently about the importance of being intentional...with instruction, with student data, with researched-based teaching strategies. As educators, we do want to make a lasting impact on the lives of students by using time wisely and by providing instruction that targets what students need most. Every teacher I know is concerned about the learning process and academic growth for their students! At ECS, teachers are committed to providing instruction that connects learning to real life experiences and to encouraging students to take ownership of their learning progress.

It is just as important, though, to be intentional about training and challenging students (and ourselves) to develop character qualities that allow us to impact the world for good. Recently at a school basketball game, ECS invited kindergarten families to attend as featured guests. During a conversation, one of the kindergarten "dads" was talking about his daughter and said that because of her outgoing personality and determined spirit, he knew he had to purposefully "lead" as a parent, so her character would be shaped to use those qualities in a positive way.

With Christmas just weeks away, what would it be like if we challenged our children to develop the character quality of being generous to others? As adults, we have to be intentional to do that by example! Currently at ECS, our faculty and staff are working in teams, each team with $100 "seed money" to grow and use to bless others. The students are involved and are more excited about giving right now than about parties or programs or even snow! These projects will allow us to bless people and groups here in Evansville, around the country, and even around the world. Most exciting is the additional benefit of training students to see and be involved in the needs of others. These students know that they don't have to wait until they are adults to change the world...they are doing it today, by learning to be generous!