The KCS mission is “To be the defining force in developing lifelong learners by stewarding an environment that prepares us for the next challenge.”

At our first class meeting of the school year, the grade 7s looked at some pretty interesting and mindboggling questions. Was it algebra? Physics? No, they were questions about themselves, like the following:

1. Five years from now, your local paper does a story about you and they want to interview three people about you. What would you want them to say about you?
2. If you could spend an hour with any person who ever lived, who would it be? Why? What would you ask?
3. Describe a time when you were deeply inspired.

These questions come from an activity called The Great Discovery, from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey. You can read them (and try to answer them!) for yourself here: http://www.emporia.edu/dotAsset/f1d87806-07e0-48e8-919d-92637f6e028e.pdf

As a teacher, I was taking a responsible risk. I didn’t know if my students were ready to tackle these questions. They really impressed me with their thoughtful answers. Thanks to all the wonderful teachers they’ve had at KCS, they were prepared and they were able to take on the challenge.

After considering the questions, we came up with personal mission statements. I know, 12 year olds making mission statements sounds like a stretch! It turns out they have a wonderful grasp of what they would like to get out of life.

• To make a difference in the world
• To always be a good sport and to work hard
• To be a leader and excel at my job and hobbies
• Be positive and do not worry
• Never give up no matter what tries to stop you
• Live life to the fullest
• To challenge myself to do new and harder things
• Don’t give up. Keep trying
• Have fun and work hard
• Always strive for perfection
• You can’t like it if you don’t try it
• Always be happy and positive
• Always try and never give up until you achieve your goals in life
• To make a positive difference in the world
• Don’t give up
• You only live once
• When you’re down, get back up
• Be a good sport, it’s just a game
• Your past decides your future
• Be happy and positive
• To be a leader in the world

The mission statements are displayed in our classroom for the year so that we remember our missions. We’ve chosen our missions. What’s yours?

Ms. Gaudet
Citizenship Coordinator, Grade 7 History & Geography