I did not publish my speech to the DCSS Graduating Class of 2014 prior to the creation of 180 Days of Learning. The speech reflects the 'pearls of wisdom' I gathered from the authors who influenced me prior to and as I wrote the speech. Here's the speech as I read it in June:
During her Grad Transition interview, Tristine Smith shared that this group of graduates was the last group of grade seven students to attend Central Middle School… that got me thinking. This graduating class…. you, have experienced more change within your educational lives than any group who graduated from either South Peace Secondary School or, now Dawson Creek Secondary School. Within that change you experienced the slow transition from content driven pedagogical practices to skills driven practices where teaching methods like Project Based, Inquiry Based and Relationship Based Learning were becoming more commonplace. These are practices infused with what are termed as 21st Century Skills where there is a focus not solely on content but on the skills and processes required to assess information, organize it and share it within varying contexts and mediums… Some of you wanted what once was and were forced to experience the changing face of education.
I’m sure you could easily list the multitude of changes you experienced as a student in the last few years. Benjamin Franklin is famously quoted as saying: “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” I would add to Franklin’s quote saying: Nothing is certain except death, taxes and change!
So what did change do for you over the past six years?...
Change often creates discomfort or stress. Both ‘discomfort’ and ‘stress’ often get bad raps… but it is discomfort and stress that ignite our nervous system. It’s that ignition that causes you to act in some way. A positive volume of stress creates movement; a plan is made, an action is taken. A push beyond that positive volume helps you build grit and resiliency. The American Psychological Association says that resiliency will help you build capacity to make realistic plans and take steps to carry them out. Resiliency can help you build a positive view of yourself and confidence in your strengths and abilities. Resiliency will support you in building skills in communication and problem solving while also helping you to manage strong feelings and impulses. .. I believe it was our intention to develop, in you, the 21st Century Skills, but along the way, you also built your own individual levels of grit and resiliency. You are sitting hear tonight because of the collection of skills you developed throughout your school years. C.S Lewis once said: ‘It’ s not the load that breaks you down, it’s how you carry it.’ You’ve carried the load tied to change with perseverance, character and determination. You are leaving Dawson Creek Secondary with a skill set unlike previous graduating classes. You are ready for whatever comes next in so many ways!
One of the best parts of my job is being a part of the Grad Transitions interviews. You were reflective about your school experiences, you openly shared your thoughts about what you believe you got out of school, and you clearly described your plans for the future. The greatest part of the Grad Transitions interviews was learning that each of you is truly a unique individual; you are not sheep following a herd to some common destination. Seth Godin, author of Tribes pleads: “Please stop waiting for a map. We reward those who draw maps, not those who follow them.” .. I believe you are a group of map makers!
We often ask: “What will the future hold for us?” This is a question that really leaves fate in the hands of others. I would suggest, you, the Dawson Creek Secondary School Graduating Class of 2014 holds great things for our future! You have no intention of waiting and no intention of living other people’s lives. I will be excited to see and possibly experience what each of you will do as you mature through adulthood.
In parting, Google tells me, it’s the Principal’s job to share some words of wisdom as you prepare to embark upon the next stage of your lives. I'll share two thoughts I hope you will consider while you sit here tonight: I want to talk about today, and tomorrow!
Respect every minute that today offers. Constantly wishing for tomorrow or waiting for the next big event will leave you wondering what happened to the years when you get to be my age. Please don’t wish your life away. See beauty in the things in front of you! Today is a gift; find the value, and marvel in each thing you see and do.
And when tomorrow comes…
I have quote on my office wall at the Central Campus that says: “The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday.” I think it’s a powerful quote because, in its simplicity, it suggests that you seek constant improvement. The definition of ‘better’ for me, in my advice to you, includes your improvement in how you treat your world and the people that make up that world! And with that, you do not need to constantly compare yourself to others; compare yourself to the you knew yesterday! It really is that simple, you choose your criteria. The world is a busy place and expectations will be thrust upon you regularly. You have already shown your grit and resiliency!
So …decide for yourself who you will be, reflect, persevere, and work to improve upon you each day!
- Paul Chisholm - June 2014.
During her Grad Transition interview, Tristine Smith shared that this group of graduates was the last group of grade seven students to attend Central Middle School… that got me thinking. This graduating class…. you, have experienced more change within your educational lives than any group who graduated from either South Peace Secondary School or, now Dawson Creek Secondary School. Within that change you experienced the slow transition from content driven pedagogical practices to skills driven practices where teaching methods like Project Based, Inquiry Based and Relationship Based Learning were becoming more commonplace. These are practices infused with what are termed as 21st Century Skills where there is a focus not solely on content but on the skills and processes required to assess information, organize it and share it within varying contexts and mediums… Some of you wanted what once was and were forced to experience the changing face of education.
I’m sure you could easily list the multitude of changes you experienced as a student in the last few years. Benjamin Franklin is famously quoted as saying: “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” I would add to Franklin’s quote saying: Nothing is certain except death, taxes and change!
So what did change do for you over the past six years?...
Change often creates discomfort or stress. Both ‘discomfort’ and ‘stress’ often get bad raps… but it is discomfort and stress that ignite our nervous system. It’s that ignition that causes you to act in some way. A positive volume of stress creates movement; a plan is made, an action is taken. A push beyond that positive volume helps you build grit and resiliency. The American Psychological Association says that resiliency will help you build capacity to make realistic plans and take steps to carry them out. Resiliency can help you build a positive view of yourself and confidence in your strengths and abilities. Resiliency will support you in building skills in communication and problem solving while also helping you to manage strong feelings and impulses. .. I believe it was our intention to develop, in you, the 21st Century Skills, but along the way, you also built your own individual levels of grit and resiliency. You are sitting hear tonight because of the collection of skills you developed throughout your school years. C.S Lewis once said: ‘It’ s not the load that breaks you down, it’s how you carry it.’ You’ve carried the load tied to change with perseverance, character and determination. You are leaving Dawson Creek Secondary with a skill set unlike previous graduating classes. You are ready for whatever comes next in so many ways!
One of the best parts of my job is being a part of the Grad Transitions interviews. You were reflective about your school experiences, you openly shared your thoughts about what you believe you got out of school, and you clearly described your plans for the future. The greatest part of the Grad Transitions interviews was learning that each of you is truly a unique individual; you are not sheep following a herd to some common destination. Seth Godin, author of Tribes pleads: “Please stop waiting for a map. We reward those who draw maps, not those who follow them.” .. I believe you are a group of map makers!
We often ask: “What will the future hold for us?” This is a question that really leaves fate in the hands of others. I would suggest, you, the Dawson Creek Secondary School Graduating Class of 2014 holds great things for our future! You have no intention of waiting and no intention of living other people’s lives. I will be excited to see and possibly experience what each of you will do as you mature through adulthood.
In parting, Google tells me, it’s the Principal’s job to share some words of wisdom as you prepare to embark upon the next stage of your lives. I'll share two thoughts I hope you will consider while you sit here tonight: I want to talk about today, and tomorrow!
Respect every minute that today offers. Constantly wishing for tomorrow or waiting for the next big event will leave you wondering what happened to the years when you get to be my age. Please don’t wish your life away. See beauty in the things in front of you! Today is a gift; find the value, and marvel in each thing you see and do.
And when tomorrow comes…
I have quote on my office wall at the Central Campus that says: “The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday.” I think it’s a powerful quote because, in its simplicity, it suggests that you seek constant improvement. The definition of ‘better’ for me, in my advice to you, includes your improvement in how you treat your world and the people that make up that world! And with that, you do not need to constantly compare yourself to others; compare yourself to the you knew yesterday! It really is that simple, you choose your criteria. The world is a busy place and expectations will be thrust upon you regularly. You have already shown your grit and resiliency!
So …decide for yourself who you will be, reflect, persevere, and work to improve upon you each day!
- Paul Chisholm - June 2014.