A Pencil is Useless Until it’s Sharpened.

At first, the pencil resents the sharpener.

Much like the young athlete resents the tough coach.
Much like the child who resents after-school piano lessons.
Much like the student who resents the demanding teacher.

But after being sharpened a few times, the pencil begins to understand something powerful:

The sharpener doesn’t hurt me.
It reveals my edge and unlocks my purpose.

Teachers, the students sitting in your classrooms right now are filled with graphite – ideas, intelligence, and potential.

Sharpen them!

Dull pencils cannot fulfill their purpose.
And dull expectations produce dull outcomes.

Apply pressure.
Maintain the standard.
Refuse to lower the bar.

Sharpen them. (They will thank you later)