School Success Requires Grit

parentlink SCHOOL SUCCESS REQUIRES GRIT college and whose parents do not Former Rockwood Students Author Book hold college degrees. They use their missteps as teachable moments for young people who share their same for Pupils on How to Be background. Gritty Because of their successes, these 1999 graduates of Rockwood’s Lafayette High School have been the topic of past articles where the focus was on their experiences in Rockwood Principal Rodney Lewis, a former VICC participant, schools which, they say, served them stands with his Ballwin Elementary School students. well. They benefitted from the diverse He is an award winning educator and population, the rigorous academics and the faculty who bolstered and co-author of the book, Gritty. groomed them. According to Rodney, the academics were such that the young men had “to put in extra work.” This was their early introduction to the concept of grit--a mindset they would struggle with at times but eventually master. They earned not only bachelor’s degrees, but master’s and even doctorate degrees. Ron is a consultant with PQC (Ft. Wayne, IN). He provides leadership training for the organization’s Midwest clients. Rodney is principal at Ballwin Elementary School in the Rockwood district. In addition to their full-time jobs, they have a consulting business, The Lewis Influence, where they offer inspiration and advice to students. The Excellence in Education When 35-year-old former VICC document their low points and award that Rodney won (first place, NON-PROFIT ORG. NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID LOUIS, MO ST. NO. 5737 PERMIT participant Rodney Lewis reflects challenges in their book, titled Gritty, “administration” category) from St. on how far he has come in life, to motivate others. Their thinking is, Louis Family (produced by St. Louis he sometimes shakes his head in “If we can do it, you can do it,” and Magazine) recognizes hard work, determination and dedication. Those disbelief. Raised in a community Gritty provides the rationale and are the very characteristics he and his of violence, drugs and gangs, his how-to’s. In some education circles, “grit” brother emphasize in their book. They low college entrance test scores is considered to be the key to define “gritty” as having the strength testified to his strategy of taking the student success. The idea is that and resilience to overcome obstacles easiest path and putting in the least passion and persistence are essential and reach one’s goals. They write, amount of effort. His poor scores characteristics to possess, maybe “Grit is believing in yourself when the only amplified his recurring feelings more so than intelligence or the ability environment is screaming otherwise. of self-doubt. Now flash forward to to learn quickly and easily. The Lewis It is never quitting when self-doubt is the present. Lewis holds multiple twins contend that grit is absolutely having a long conversation with you. advanced degrees, authored a necessary to get ahead, especially for Grit is believing in the unbelievable book, and has climbed high in the those who grow up in impoverished and doing the unthinkable.” education field. He was named and dangerous neighborhoods as While Gritty is targeted to first generation college students, its top area school administrator in they did. general principals are useful for the Excellence in Education awards The twins’ book gives first generation college students strategies anyone and especially young people sponsored by St. Louis Magazine. for overcoming adversity and who could use some impassioned What caused this transformation, creating success in their lives. They motivation from a couple of guys you wonder? A lot of soul searching speak from their own experiences who have walked in their shoes. Visit Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation 7425 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 110 St. Louis, MO 63105 and something called “grit.” Rodney as first generation college students, the twins’ website to order the book: and his twin brother Ron, who also defined by them as being the first www.lewflu.com. struggled in his early years but went in one’s immediate family to attend on to make remarkable achievements, The following are Don’t just want something (good Take ownership of your learning as the wrong path. Surround yourself grades, a dream job, a slick car); you though your life depended on it with good people. words of wisdom, have to EXPECT that it can become a (and it does!) If you abuse freedom, you will lose extracted from Gritty, reality. The stronger the expectation Know your numbers: credit hours, freedom. Make smart decisions. applicable to all students: level, the more you will be willing class grades, GPA. Understand Use your time wisely. There are and ready to do whatever it takes to where you are and where you need better outcomes for your future if make it happen. to be. you are “grinding for good grades” If you are capable of making A’s, Don’t blame the teacher for your instead of goofing off. don’t settle for B’s or C’s! Opt for poor grades. Remember: own your Mental strength is important. “hard and necessary” instead of education; it’s not the teacher’s Believe in yourself. “If you don’t “easy and convenient.” doing, it’s what YOU do. believe, you can’t achieve.” You will You must create good habits (study Look closely at the people you hang have setbacks (that’s only natural!), time, sleep time, powering through with. They should be focused and but what is important is that you challenges, resilience) in order to be positive just like you, not people dust yourself off and try again…and successful. who will negatively drive you down again…and again. OutstandingOutstanding AFFTON This summer, Michaela will move to encouraged her to move outside her of love are an inspiration. Her plans Texas where she plans to attend Park comfort zone. Successfully adapting to are to study nursing at UMSL. Affton High School University and study criminal justice. the challenges of attending a school far DeVontae Burse was a determined, beyond her neighborhood gave Kaytlyn Lafayette High School hardworking and goal-oriented student KIRKWOOD a new-found confidence which she Excelling academically and athletically, athlete. He was voted Homecoming parlayed into being tapped for South’s Kaleea Johnson was a dedicated, King which attests to how well his Kirkwood High School competitive Step Team squad. active member of the school peers and faculty like and respect Being a four-year recipient of community. She earned excellent him. A standout in football, DeVontae Kirkwood’s African-American Parkway North High School grades, ran track, served as a cadet distinguished himself by being a record Achievement Award attests to Dina The qualities of a student leader are teacher and was a Student of the breaking athlete. He will study business Alabsew’s hard work and dedication immediately recognizable in Ria Smith Month award winner. Kaleea is Certainly, one of the goals of at Missouri Western University where he in the classroom. A member of the who points to Parkway as her gateway dependable, determined and creative. participating in the voluntary will play football. National Honor Society, she also to a diverse and culturally rich academic She has amazing communication skills interdistrict choice program is excelled extracurricularly and exhibited experience. Ria’s immersion into the and a very caring personality. She to graduate from high school BAYLESS leadership skills. She was a freshman Parkway school community is evident in plans to study elementary education and, ultimately, continue class officer, a member of the women’s her multitude of involvements: varsity at Columbia College where she will be raduates one’s education at college Bayless High School choir and participated in Peer Helpers, a softball and lacrosse, mock trial, captains part of the track and field team. or in the development of a Taylor Owens was an exceptional club that trains selected students to assist council (supporting the Chesterfield G career. This issue highlights our student leader with an outstanding their peers with problem solving and Police Department in keeping North Marquette High School outstanding graduates of 2016. academic record. She was an active conflict mediation. Dina will attend the drug free and safe), the Sister to Sister Cortiny Scruggs was a strong member We are proud of their hard member of the Student Council DeVontae Burse Taylor Owens Nigel Bracey Chinyere Onwumere University of Louisville. support club for African-American of the Marquette school community, Affton High School Bayless High School Brentwood High School Clayton High School work and accomplishments and participated in the Leadership females, and ASAP (African-American both academically and extracurricular and wish them the very best in class, both which produced successful LINDBERGH Student Acceleration program). She will wise. An annual recipient of the VICC their future opportunities. As I events that contributed to the school attend University of Illinois-Chicago academic achievement award, she ran studied these bios, I was struck and community at large. Taylor was Lindbergh High School and focus on pre-law. track for several years and was an office by a number of the adjectives part of the Bayless dance team and Performing in the school band while aid for two. As co-captain of the Step describing what led to their served as captain. She led her team also playing on the football team takes Parkway South High School Team, she demonstrated her leadership success. I believe we can learn to become State Champions in Hip a special kind of student and Brandon Domonisha Williams says, above ability by helping organize events from these character traits Hop in 2016.

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