Greetings!
The concept of how to build resilience is now "popping." That is the word I am getting from around the country! Evidence for this "pop" includes several national publications devoting entire issues to the topic of building resilience or fostering resiliency (these terms are essentially synonymous).
Educational Leadership, the premier journal for hundreds of thousands of educators, devoted its entire September issue to "Resilience & Learning." Read on...to access articles explaining Maya Angelou's thoughts on the topic and the "significance of GRIT" and resiliency, as well as my most recent article, "Havens of Resilience: Schools..."
Mayou Angelou discusses "How does resilience develop and how can we instill it in others?" and Angela Lee Duckworth explains "The Significance of Grit"
Maya Angelou's comments on resilience in "Handle with Care: A Conversation with Maya Angelou" published in the September issue of Educational Leadership are totally congruent with the growing body of social science research investigating how resiliency develops. A noted writer, philosopher, and human rights advocate, she embodies resiliency, having overcome a "difficult" childhood and other daunting obstacles including poverty and racial prejudice. Here are some of her observations from the Educational Leadership article:
- "If we have someone who loves us...enough to be on our side--then it's easier to grow resilience."
- Resilience and dignity are inextricably entwined..."Dignity means what I have to say is important."
- Dignity also means "I deserve the best treatment I can receive...and I have the responsibility to give the best treatment I can to other people."
- Resilience *is* universal, "if children are given the chance to believe they're worth something...if they truly believe that."
- "Resilience is also about bouncing forward, going beyond what the naysayers said, saying, 'No it's not true that I'm nobody. I know that not only is that not true, but I'm more than you can imagine!'"
- Teachers need to "teach because it's your calling...[and] handle both the child and the information with care...and maybe with prayer."
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW WITH MAYOU ANGELOU ABOUT RESILIENCE
Angela Lee Duckworth has been conducting "groundbreaking studies on grit" at the University of Pennsylvania for the past 11 years. In the interview with her published in Educational Leadership, she discusses the connection between grit and resilience.
Here are some highlights from the interview:
- "Grit is related to resilience because part of what it means to be gritty is to be resilient in the face of failure or adversity."
- A key to having grit is to have "consistent interests--focused passions--over a long time."
- In our research "grit [is] the best predictor of which" students will stick with it, even through difficulty.
- A surprising finding: "Grit and talent either aren't related at all or are actually inversely related." Grit is about "trying to maximize your outcomes" in whatever you choose to do. Asking, "How can I get the most out of my day?"
- "Children who have a growth mind-set tend to be grittier: The attitude, 'I can get better if I try harder' [makes] a tenacious, determined, hard-working person."
- Scientific evidence of brain plasticity shows "people's brains change with experience," which means "communicating to students information about deliberate practice."
- "Standardized tests, although they serve an important function, are limited in their ability to pick up things like grit and self-control...[and] gratitude, honesty, generosity, empathy...social intelligence, tact, charisma."
- There is now "a pendulum swing away from the single-minded focus on standardized testing and toward a broader view of the whole child."
- "There is [now] interest in developing traits like resilience and grit across K-12 education. Some of the schools that have the most freedom to work on this are making the most headway."
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW ABOUT GRIT AND RESILIENCE
MY TAKE AWAY FROM THESE ARTICLES:
Angela Mayou's comments again reiterate the resiliency research finding that the most powerful resiliency builder is even one person who offers "genuine caring and support"...someone who becomes "an alternative, believing mirror" who communicates "I see what is right about you." In other words, communicates "dignity."
Angela Lee Duckworth affirms the resiliency research about the importance of identifying and developing one's life passions. That passion fuels the resilience trait of grit. As I often tell educators, "Find what a child is passionate about. Then tie everything you do to that child's passion!"
CLICK HERE TO READ ALL THE FREE ARTICLES ON RESILIENCE AND LEARNING FROM THE SEPT. ISSUE OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Schools as "Havens of Resilience" -- highlights from my article in the Sept. issue of Educational Leadership
"I am alive and thriving because of the resilience-building power of schools...[When I was a child] school was my haven, my solace, the alternative universe I stepped into most days with relief. School counteracted the trauma of the rest of my life."
This is how I begin my article on schools as "havens of resilience."
The most important message of the article: "Research shows that schools are filled with the conditions that promote resilience." Why? Because they are filled with the protective factors that facilitate children and youth overcoming whatever trauma or tragedy they bring to their schools.
In addition, "by claiming their roles as agents of protective factors, educators (and all caring adults in schools) can create schools that are havens in which resilience can flourish. Such schools boost the success of all students..."
CLICK HERE TO READ MY ENTIRE ARTICLE, "Havens of Resilience: Schools are natural environments for helping all children cultivate the resilience that resides within them"
The Resiliency Workbook: The perfect foundation for an effective resiliency-building program across culture and ethnicity
Here's why...
The "Resiliency Wheel" is the core of the book, with pages and activities focused on each aspect of the Wheel. The Resiliency Wheel synthesizes resiliency findings across hundreds of studies, across a variety of ethnic and cultural groups.
AND It is designed to be a hands-on resiliency-building process over many weeks.
The Resiliency Workbook is still number one on Amazon.com, with 49 five-star reviews of this book:
CLICK HERE TO READ REVIEWS
BUT ORDER THE BOOK FROM US from us to get your FREE "Leader's Guide for The Resiliency Workbook." This guide is a great starter for creating your own resiliency-building program based on the book.
ORDER THE RESILIENCY WORKBOOK BY CLICKING HERE
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT EXTENDED UNTIL SEPT. 15: Join Us in Sunny L.A. (NEAR THE BEACH!) Oct. 7 & 8 for the One-of-a-Kind Resiliency Training Program Training of Trainers
JOIN US FOR the upcoming Resiliency Training of Trainers near the beach in sunny Los Angeles (Marina del Rey)!
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT OF $100 OFF IS AVAILABLE WITH REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT BY SEPTEMBER 15.
OR.....You can attend THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND TRAINING
IN SUNNY L.A. near the beach
FREE
...by purchasing 100 copies of The Resiliency Workbook for your school or organization.
...REGISTER WITH PAYMENT BY SEPTEMBER 15 AND TAKE $100 OFF THE TUITION!
Many people who take my Resiliency Training of
Trainers become RESILIENCY TRAINERS
themselves, which I encourage everyone to do!
At the training, I give participants EVERYTHING
that I have used as a national and international
resiliency trainer for the
past 20 years. You get it all! And I HOPE you will
go into your community and do resiliency training--to
help children, schools, and families and to make
additional income, as well!
The Oct. 7 & 8 Resiliency
Training Program will held at a conference center in a
beautiful hilltop location in sunny L.A. only two miles
from the airport, and near beautiful beaches.
COME
AND LEARN:
1. how to move children & youth, families,
& organizations "from risk
to resilient"
2. how to best teach others how to
build resiliency and stay resilient (INCLUDING
YOURSELF! :-)
3. how to incorporate resiliency strategies that will
improve all organizations
4. how to "sell" resiliency-building programs and
strategies
5. The research-based amazing connection
between
building school resiliency and ACADEMIC AND/OR
LIFE SUCCESS
COMMENTS FROM THE OCTOBER, 2012 RESILIENCY TRAINING PROGRAM ATTENDEES included:
"Incredible organization, tremendous expertise! An absolute must. Nan is passionate and inspirational!"
--Sergio Pesqueira,
Assistant Director of Educational Leadership,
Loyola Marymount University, L.A
"One of the best trainings I have ever attended; Nan's passion and knowledge is clear."
--Peppy Howard-Willms,
Statewide Director of Education for Great Circle, MO
"Outstanding in every aspect. Every person should [attend] starting in elementary school, and reviewed yearly!"
--Denise Elbert,
Wingman Advocate, Hill Air Force Base, UT
"Perfection! A must-have. a tool of hope."
--Linda Liss, Executive Director,
Making Ourselves Matter,
Prince George, British Columbia
CLICK HERE TO GET A FLYER WITH MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER FOR THE TRAINING
Resiliency Training is a crucial need! (And it helps across cultures and ethnicities) BUY A QUANTITY OF THE RESILIENCY WORKBOOK & I WILL PROVIDE THIS TRAINING FREE...
...for your school district or for your organization. Presentation topics are listed at www.resiliency.com (CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TRAINING TOPICS), as well many rave reviews by educators, social service providers, and administrators.
One of my favorite comments is from Laurel Schmidt, author of Classroom Confidential: The 12 Secrets of Great Teachers and former Director of Pupil Services for Santa Monica, CA schools:
"Your trainings should be packed...Educators [and all helping professionals] should come by the busloads to learn what to do for everything that ails our kids."
READ REVIEWS THAT EXPLAIN THE BENEFITS OF RESILIENCY TRAINING BY CLICKING HERE
See a list of resiliency presentations by clicking here
Here's to the "popping of resiliency"! I hope to see you soon at the Resiliency Training Program Training of Trainers or at a resiliency training for your school or organization...
Sincerely,
Nan Henderson
Resiliency In Action
phone:
800-440-5171
