We have heard it said before that students may not remember what you have taught them, but they will remember how you made them feel. The connections between the affective and cognitive domains of the brain are great. As the National Association of School Psychologists states, “A school’s environment — and the degree to which students feel connected, accepted, and respected — heavily influences students’ academic achievement, mental health, and overall school success."

As part of our mission of developing confident and competent lifelong learners, Fortune Academy is committed to helping each student embrace their individual strengths by fostering collaboration and community to ensure that all students work together, motivate each other, and build integrative thinking skills. These nurturing conditions are the critical foundations of an environment that will meet the needs of all the students.

This month we have been focusing on cultivating an attitude of gratitude and kindness. By writing down what they are grateful for on a daily basis students are choosing to see more positivity in their lives and thus giving less power to negative emotions. Having this positive outlook also enables more creative thinking. During a recent Family Meeting, our Lower School students were challenged to engage in random acts of kindness around the school. Kindness again creates that feeling of belonging and self-worth, thus improving connection and motivation while decreasing fear and anxiety.

The result we are aiming for is that students will have a stronger sense of their authentic self; freeing themselves from their self-limiting beliefs and trusting in their inner strength willing to take on new challenges to reach their full potential.

Thank you,

Vanessa Coles