Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry_222
I am worried about the students who "fall through the cracks" if you will and are not involved in any way.
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I'm going to rewind a bit back to this quote.
This thread is a little slippery to me, it moves around touching on different points.
This seems to be consistent though worded differently in a few posts.
I've thought about the different wordings and posts and I've thought about inspiration. Inspiration doesn't have a limit. There isn't a timer that is set and in the time frame before it goes off, the person will be inspired or else. Often, inspiration occurs during team time, during build while accomplishing various jobs that have to be done. That's the inspiration that can be easily seen and observed. The students who are on the drive team are easily seen and observed. The students who are part of the presentation team and interview with the judges are easily seen and observed. The students hanging out in the stands, not so much. They are seen and observed as a group representing the team but they are not able to be discerned as to what their contributions are to the team.
And - the funny thing about inspiration - it may occur way after that timer has gone off. Maybe after Atlanta and into summer. Maybe into college. Maybe after college and into career. Inspiration is not finite. Mentors think about these things and talk about these things, discuss them - often. The students who fall between the cracks. How can we motivate them or do we? How can we help them or do we? Team building, team development, team work? What?
And then, something wonderful can happen all on its own...a student who comes on the trip to the regional or Atlanta and seemingly doesn't contribute anything - makes an enormous impact on a summer outreach program with young children who have difficult lives. Very difficult lives. Very few fellow team members are available to view/observe this impact - they are busy with their summer activities. But a mentor and a small handful of team mates are there to view it and to see inspiration blossom. For their team mate, for the young children, and for the adults that shared the moment.
I understand the 'hanging out' concept - but I rarely doubt that inspiration once planted will grow in its own time.