Take a minute to tell a kid how smart they are; then take the time to show them.
Mental Health Advocate | Researcher | Business Strategist | Leveraging Process, Data & Technology to Improve Lives
Feb 11 this year is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Let me tell you a story. When I was a little girl, I believed I was not good in Science or Math. My brother was incredibly smart and good at both and I remember being satisfied to be proud of him, and that's just "how it was". He was and still is kind of amazing BTW. In Grade 10, a teacher took me aside. He told me how smart I am and tutored me for only a few sessions. I ate it up. My grades and my confidence went up immediately - not years later - immediately. It was because of this amazing teacher that I realized I was smart too, and I was also good at Science and Math. Years later I decided I wanted to get my Masters of Business Administration. I took the GMAT and got a terrible score. I took it again and got another terrible score. I took it a third time and got another terrible score. What did I do? I flew to the College I wanted to attend, and I went to the office of the Dean of the MBA program and told him I know my scores do not reflect my intelligence and I asked if I could be accepted conditionally into the MBA program. He gave me a chance. I was accepted on certain conditions. Not only did I achieve those conditions but I also received an Award for the MBA student who Best Met the Overall Objectives of the Program. Then fast forward another couple decades and I am now the CEO and Founder of a Tech company. Why do I tell you all this? Because there is some little girl or any child, regardless of gender, in your life, that needs to be told they are smart. Kids eat this up. Provide them encouragement and guidance. That kid could find the cure to cancer or be our next President.
I learn something amazing about you each day!