A LETTER OF THANKS

How the Resiliency Approach Transformed
My Low-Functioning 6th Graders

January 21, 2002

Dear Nan,

After attending the training with you last year, I struggled with the question of measuring individual students' resiliency traits without making them feel as though they were missing something (i.e.,counting up all the ones that did not apply). If you will recall, I was teaching a very difficult group of sixth graders, and was running out of energy and hope. The training gave me some new inspiration, and I took the tools from that day, and trained my whole class. I had them go through the list of resiliency factors [see list of "Personal Resiliency Builders" in Part 2 of The Resiliency Quiz] looking for their top three. We discussed them beforehand, and talked about how each might play a factor in helping them to bounce back from difficulties in their lives.

I teach in a low-income neighborhood with many gang involvement opportunities. I was unsure of the impact this little exercise would have. I had several students whose initial response was, "Ya, right. I don't have any of these!" However, after a few days of class discussions, assignments to share with parents, and one-on-one time, every student had chosen at least two that they already had. We then discussed how to make them stronger, and to choose one or two more to work on in the coming year.

My classroom became a much different place. I firmly believe that looking at resiliency had a huge part in that. Before the training, I was focusing on what was wrong with my class. After our work together, each student had at least two "strengths", or as one student put it, "I have two things I do right!"

This same student was a huge behavioral challenge for me. I was so fearful of her entering Middle School. As of the last time we spoke, she was each of her teacher's favorite students! She sits right in front, and is getting high marks. Her SAT9 scores (that ever important academic component) went up 259 points overall! Another student who was always getting in fights is the student who is welcoming new students to school, and is taking all her friends to church, whether they want to or not!

The trick, I believe, was in focusing on what the individual students already had going for them. Now I am about ready to work with this year's class. I waited till I felt like I would be able to pick out strengths for each one. I can't wait to see the results!

By the way, the rest of my class from last year is doing great as well. They were an academically low-functioning group, and many of them are on the honor roll this year! The next step I would like to take is to meet with many of them, to see if their resiliency traits have grown, and if they have added more to their list.

I am very grateful for the training, and the talks we had that day. I am hoping to attend a Training of Trainers soon. I feel that Resiliency is the missing piece in the Asset puzzle, and I will begin sharing about resiliency in staff meetings once a month this February. I was sharing with colleagues, and they actually asked me to tell them more! It seems most teachers are tired of the negative messages we are always hearing. This is a long thanks, sent to let you know that your message made a difference in my teaching and in the lives of my students.

Sincerely,
Keira Flionis
6th Grade Teacher,Rosemary Kennedy Elementary
Alvord Unified School District
Riverside, CA

P.S. Thanks for making the resiliency quiz available. With a few changes, I will be using it with my students this year, as well as with the staff at my school.

 

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