"My Education, My Future"

President Obama addressed the country's students today on taking responsibilty for their own educations. It is my hope that all of my students reflect on his words and try to apply his message to their own learning both this year and in the future.

"No one's born being good at all things. You become good at things through
hard work. You're not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. You
don't hit every note the first time you sing a song. You've got to practice. The
same principle applies to your schoolwork. You might have to do a math problem a
few times before you get it right. You might have to read something a few times
before you understand it. You definitely have to do a few drafts of a paper
before it's good enough to hand in.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask for help when
you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's
a sign of strength because it shows you have the courage to admit when you don't
know something, and that then allows you to learn something new. So find an
adult that you trust -- a parent, a grandparent or teacher, a coach or a
counselor -- and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals."

--President Barack Obama, September 8, 2009

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/A-Message-of-Hope-and-Responsibility-for-Americas-Students/