One of the cutting-edge theories in the field of education is helping students discover their “grit," an educational approach that focuses on process over product. Instead of trying to turn all students into geniuses, teachers instead help them develop coping mechanisms, resilience, and learning habits. This process is truly freeing for students who are not innately adept at school, but have the drive to learn and grow.
I love to teach this way, and playwright Samuel Beckett’s words remind me of this: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”
Young people in the classroom aren’t the only ones who need to steel themselves with resilience, though; Los Angeles Rams quarterback and 2016 first overall draft pick Jared Goff found out the hard way that the NFL is one pop quiz after another -- and there’s no grading on a curve.