"This book is a result of my passion and belief that any student can learn how to be a success by using easy, but not obvious, strategies in their everyday life. As a teacher and a coach, I have worked with thousands of students developing their ability to advocate for themselves and take responsibility for their own actions through ownership,” said Author Megan Stone, founder and president of Stone Foundations of Learning. “It’s critical that students receive the tools they need to “do” their job of being a student. It may be a school to attend, a class to take, an internship to land, or a job to obtain. I have seen how disciplined practice of these practical tools increase student commitment, endurance and motivation, and carry forward into all aspects of their lives.”
I had a chance to interview Megan Stone to learn more.
1. What was the inspiration behind this book?
Through my time as a teacher, and the students
we work with at Stone Foundations of Learning, I realized the problem students
were having was not with the content, it was that they didn’t know how to be a
student.
The book is about helping
students to take ownership over their lives. This is done through education,
owning successes and failures, and learning from the tough times. Experiencing
all parts of life and taking ownership of these experiences is the only way
children can become all they are meant to be and have control over their
future.
2. What sets it apart from other education books?
This book is a non-threatening book with many
real life examples and many opportunities for self reflection. No one is perfect in their life or their
education and this book allows every student and parent an opportunity to see
where they still need to fill in missing tools for success in school and life.
3. Why is it important for students to own their own education?
‘Owning your education’ means that you as a
student (or really anyone) know that you have the ability to change your
future. You do not blame others for your
failures and you can recognize what you are capable of doing in your life. The characteristics of Ownership are
Commitment, Endurance (hard work) and motivation. It is these characteristics that build a
students ability to excel in school and in their life.
4. What are your three best tips for staying motivated?
True motivation will never come until children
“own” their education and their life.
Some
tools and strategies parents can use to help support their child to become
accountable and ‘own their education’ would be for them to help their children
rely on a “tool”, not them, to be successful.
These “tools” look different at different ages but allow your child to
learn to use the world and materials around them, instead of always relying on
an adult to do and fix things for them.
An example would be a schedule board for younger children to help them
remember what they are in charge of and what they need to bring to school.
It is also important for adults to understand
and be able to explain the difference between “renting” versus “owning” one’s
life. Renting is easy because someone
else is always responsible – you don’t need to take the blame for poor
results. But with renting comes a lack
of control. You need to own something to
be able to make changes and gain power over your future. True ownership results in feelings of pride
and confidence in yourself and your abilities in and outside of school.
Parents also have to help with a large
misconception students have about school – which is students don’t know how to
be students – they don’t realize it is their job. They must spend time with all
aspects of school and learn from their successes and failures. It is through failure that many lessons are learned
and parents need to allow these opportunities for learning in and outside of
the classroom.
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