A POEM FOR PARENTS, TEACHERS AND MENTORS

I am a Principal Lecturer in Education at a UK University, with a special interest in Leadership and Management.  Prior to this I was a Secondary Headteacher and an Ofsted Inspector.  I will regularly post items across the school age range which I hope will be of interest in helping parents to help their children and to keep up to date.  Some  items  may be of interest for people in the wider workplace.

This is a poignant poem for any of us involved in helping another at an especially developmental time in their lives. Some time ago, a class of children in Northern Ireland produced a book of poems chosen by famous people.  Jeremy Irons, the actor, offered  'Apollinaire Said'.

For parents, teachers and/or mentors in the workplace, the message is clear. We have to strive to ensure our children or charges, whoever they are, develop self-belief and confidence.  Confidence can be a fragile thing, sometimes easily shattered, or eroded over time.  Sometimes we, as Apollinaire did, need to raise the bar and encourage some calculated risk taking.

 

Apollinaire said 'Come to the edge'

'It is too high'

'Come to the edge'

'We might fall'

'COME TO THE EDGE'

And they came

And he pushed

And they flew.

Guillaume Apollinaire.  1880-1918

 

I am sure we can all remember the first time we did something for the first time which was important in our lives.  The first day at school, the first ride on a bicycle.  Jumping in at the deep end of the swimming pool, abseiling, driving, making a long journey alone or perhaps the first time shopping alone. All of us can remember significant moments in our lives when we just felt confident enough to 'fly'!   Such confidence often comes from the encouragement and support of a parent, teacher, friend or work colleague.  When was the last time you boosted someone's confidence and helped them to 'fly'?

 

Can you share one of your moments that mattered?