Would you consider your child “responsible”? Would you consider yourself a responsible person? Do you talk about responsibility at home? In my opinion, responsibility is the most important ingredient to achievement. Yet, responsibility is something we don’t discuss a lot unless someone isn’t…well…being responsible. Being caring, giving, and showing grit are the values that get compliments because they are easy to identify. When someone is being responsible, it’s easy to miss because you are simply doing what you should be doing. We all love the rewards that responsibility reaps.
The Wylie Way is a very intentional process designed to help students achieve their potential and become the kind of adult that makes our world a better place. It’s much more than a feeling; it’s a very specific training process that each student in Wylie ISD is exposed to all year long. This process begins with teaching students about core ethical values that are essential to navigate a successful life.
As part of the Wylie Way, we will begin this year with something we are calling “The Responsibility Project.” During this time, we want students to understand, care about and act on the value of responsibility. We are approaching it differently than how responsibility is traditionally exposed to students. In fact, we will begin our journey to discover the possibilities of “responsibility” on Wednesday, September 2.
Traditional | The Wylie Way |
Only recognizing responsibility when it doesn’t occur | Defining responsibility as something that will help them achieve. |
Focus on failure | Recognizing students for being responsible |
Punishing students for lack of responsibility | Understanding how the value of responsibility is necessary to maintain positive relationships with their parents, friends and teachers. |
We will start by teaching students a new perspective about responsibility in a different way than the traditional definition.
Dictionary | The Wylie Way |
The state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something. | What I have to do in my life to keep my obligations, my relationships and achieve my dreams. |
I consider my own kids pretty responsible, and we talk about it ALL THE TIME! I don’t use the term “responsibility”; instead, I refer to it as VLE or “Vinson Level Effort.” I explain that the world isn’t a very responsible place and by just doing your job in the best way you can, you will achieve! It’s not normal effort; it’s Vinson Level Effort. VLE is so important at my house that my wife, Cristy, hung it by the door as a reminder that when we leave, we are going to show VLE!
It doesn’t end with the kids. It’s the responsibility of parents and teachers to reinforce this value. It’s the superintendent’s job. For this reason, I have hung another VLE sign in my own office. It’s my responsibility to give you my best effort too!
Please join me in growing our students to be more responsible by helping them understand and care about this very important value on their pathway towards achievement! After all, it’s the Wylie Way!
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