Bravery, Vulnerability and Volcanos!

Dear Educators,

We are seeing extreme examples of classic bravery all around us through the COVID crisis. The faces of the medical professionals helping the sick are truly inspiring. However, bravery can sometimes take the form of something much softer: vulnerability. The teacher trying to figure out how to use technology tools to help their students. The frazzled parent trying to help their student with homework amidst all the stress of quarantine. Each of us having to admit that this is hard—admit that we are being challenged, we miss our loved ones, we’re feeling scared for the future, that we’re lonely, that we’re overwhelmed. This week’s collection is in honor of the surreptitiously brave among us who can be genuinely honest and vulnerable about their true selves and feelings.

Active Volcanos

The fear we have around the coronavirus is constant. We are on high alert at all times to be sure we aren’t placing ourselves in the direct line of this unseeable danger. It is a bit like living in a location near an active volcano—it’s hard to relax, knowing that things could erupt at any time! Students could use this map to identify areas where people live close to active volcanoes and write a short story about the bravery required to live in those places.

Harvey Milk exemplified the bravery and power of vulnerability. He truly owned who he was, and instead of hiding what made him vulnerable, he broadcast it and used it to make the world a better place. My favorite quote about him is, "What set Harvey apart from you or me was that he was a visionary. He imagined a righteous world inside his head and then he set about to create it for real, for all of us." A great writing prompt for students would be for them to describe the righteous world inside their heads and what they can do to make it a reality as Harvey Milk did.

Tomorrow is National Museum Day! While it’s unlikely we’ll be venturing out, you can go on a field trip virtually with your students. This one covers rocks and minerals and will give some additional insight into the exciting life of volcanos.

Vulnerability is a powerful tool of leadership. Whether you are a teacher or the CEO of a company, the powers of vulnerability, empathy, and kindness are scientifically proven to have a huge impact on those you lead. Brené Brown, the leading researcher on vulnerability, has written and spoken about the power of vulnerable leaders for years. This talk for Inc. describes the far-reaching power of leadership on motivation, creativity, innovation, and ultimately, success. Learning how to be vulnerable and powerful in our leadership roles is vital for us as teachers, with our students looking to us for guidance during these confusing times.