High school teaches you how to determine the area of a room, but not how to navigate the people and personalities you will find in that room. In school, you are exposed to the cataclysmic events of history, but rarely the life struggles you'll experience.
I have taught in many different types of settings, and unfortunately, that statement is often true. While there are good educational settings out there that really make it a point to teach relevant lessons, the fact is, sometimes teachers are constrained by curriculum requirements - and some lessons are best learned outside of the classroom as well. In my classroom, I always try to make the learning relevant, focus on what kids can actually use, and leave time for life lessons and teachable moments that just happen.
I loved the chance to review Everything We Should Have Taught You in High School, But Never Did: The Graduation Gift of Life's Most Important Lessons by Dr. Richard Gary Shear. This new book from an award-winning educator shares more than 70 lessons that have led a generation of students to become leaders, achieve personal happiness, and live life filled with joy.
Having been the principal of four separate high schools, Dr. Richard Gary Shear has learned these lessons from decades of experience and research. His final address to the graduating high school students was entitled, The Last Lesson of High School: All the Things We Should Have Taught You but Never Did. “It captured the secrets to a better, happier, more successful life and is the basis for this book,” he says.
The book teaches lessons that some kids are able to learn from teachers who model and discuss lessons outside of the curriculum, supporting character education as well as what's in the textbook and the lesson plan. The book is organized by overarching topic, and includes lessons on passion and dreams, emotions, effort and success, and a lot more. It's written directly for new graduates, but would be appropriate for any teen or young adult.
I had a chance to learn more in this interview.
Why did you write this book?
It has been my honor to serve as the principal of four separate high schools. While the job is as tough as many imagine it to be, there is also great joy in helping young people prepare for a successful life. One of the best days as a high school principal was leading the students into their commencement exercise. Graduation day is a time of celebration of achievement and excitement about life to come. Realizing that a structured curriculum largely designed by the state was often devoid of life advice, I adapted my graduation address to the last lesson of high school, “Everything We Should Have Taught You in High School, But Never Did.” I wrote this book to share that advice with young people and quite frankly people of all ages. It addresses what successful people have in common, the importance of self-forgiveness, how to interact with the new people you will encounter, the secret to a happy life, and so much more.
Why might families need a book like this to help identify skills their kids need?
Parents are the number one educator in a child’s life. This book can serve as a discussion point regarding numerous key issues. For example, one of the wisdom chapters is “Drug Use is Russian Roulette.” It explains the risk of using drugs and ultimately the foolishness of choosing risky behavior. The book contains over 70 “wisdom chapters” of concise advice on how to live an optimal life. We all wish we knew many important things at a young age. This book provides the guidance that young people need as they step forward into their life. Kids want to discuss values and seek wisdom and good advice. Ultimately, parents want to help their children avoid mistakes and achieve the success they are capable of. Everything We Should Have Taught You in High School, But Never Did provides an ideal framework for families to identify the skills their children need to acquire for the best possible future.
What are some ways that parents and caregivers can work with schools to teach skills that students need as adults?
Schools do have some flexibility in creating curriculum and experiences that will benefit students as they grow into adulthood. The first thing parents should consider is what skill sets do they identify as needing improvement within their child’s school. School administration welcomes input from parents in the creation of a better experience and better life preparation. Parents and caregivers are invited to use Everything We Should Have Taught You in High School, But Never Did as a guide in advising their child’s school on methods to help prepare young people.
The curriculum and student schedules are not always flexible given the multiple goals our children have in their school preparation. Once parents recognize the additional skills they want their children to be exposed to, consideration should be given to out of classroom experiences. Schools can arrange for guest presentations, field trips, weekend experiences, faculty created enrichment and more. Students can be trained in leadership to then facilitate the growth of younger classmates. Ultimately, we must remember that most students are unaware of the multiple factors that lead to happiness and success as they progress into adulthood. The more schools work to address this shortcoming in concert with the parent community, the better off the students will be.
About the Author
Dr. Richard Gary Shear is an award-winning educator and a national consultant on school reform to universities, school districts, and educational organizations. He has created and advised on numerous programs that focus on topics in education: the teenage brain, school safety, at-risk students, environments for success, and initiatives to improve the lives of students and educators. Schools utilizing Dr. Shear’s recommendations have experienced unprecedented growth in student achievement and graduation rates, enhanced self-esteem among students, and improved school safety. Find him online at Facebook and Linkedin.
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