students are resilient, treat them like it!

Our students are resilient. But too often, adults get in the way.

In the name of compassion, we’ve become obsessed with protecting students from discomfort, struggle, and failure. We lower the bar so everyone can “succeed.” We reward participation over performance. We remove competition so no one feels bad.

But after two decades in education, here’s what I know to be true: Students are capable! When we challenge them (consistently), hold them accountable (consistently), and set the bar high (consistently), they rise. Every time.

We try to build qualities like grit and confidence, so… We put up posters with inspirational quotes. We assign project-based learning in which everyone gets an "A". We create "safe spaces" where students can run and hide from discomfort.

And the result?

Students who shut down when things get hard. Students who quit when school demands more. Students who crumble under pressure.

That’s on us.

Educators, students don’t need school to be softer. They need it to be tougher. They need productive struggle. They need honest grades. They need to feel what effort, failure, and recovery feels like!

So we have to ask ourselves: Are we allowing students to struggle enough Are we grading honestly? Are we building academic toughness?

Our students are capable of greatness, but only if we stop rescuing them and let them rise to the occasion. We don’t need another generation that avoids challenge. We need students who know they can overcome them.

Educators, challenge your students. They can handle it.