It’s All in the Response

(Each month I write an article in the Marion City Schools Community Newspaper sharing some of the great things going on at Rushmore Academy. Here is my most recent addition.)

From the moment a student enters Rushmore Academy for their In-take Interview they hear, “It’s all in the response!” How do you respond to different situations in your life?

Let’s face it, most of what we encounter on a daily basis we have little or no control over. Yet the one thing we all have control over is how we respond. Last month I wrote about “ownership”, owning what we say and do. Well, our response is one of the greatest things we can and should take ownership of.

Why is our response so important? It is our response which often determines where the situation goes next. Our response can either add “fuel to the fire” creating even bigger issues, or our response can begin the process of healing, understanding, and forgiveness.

I know a guy who was given some news on his job recently about changed expectations and behaviors. With new management, his place of employment was implementing higher standards and expectations, expecting each employee to demonstrate a more professional demeanor. My friend, rather than accepting the changes made the mistake to mock and not embrace the new directives. The end result was he being fired from his job. His response is what brought about the result.

This is why every day we challenge our students to respond in a positive, respectful manner, regardless of how much they may dislike what they are being told to do. Every day we challenge our students to work toward being more and more prepared for the “real world”, because this “real world” and the “world of work” wants people who are cooperative with one another. Certainly there is always time for discussion and even disagreement, but when all is said and done, it is the response that determines what happens next.

We have amazing students at Rushmore Academy. They come to school with the spirit and attitude of wanting to improve. Like all students, our students face challenges. We have very high standards and expectations for our students, especially in meeting their academic requirements. We also put a top priority daily on our students learning and practicing responding in a positive way, regardless of the situation. We believe if our students learn the positive value of responding in a calm, respectful manner, they will be prepared and equipped to face many of the greatest challenges there are in this big, beautiful world!

“It’s all in the response!” Rushmore Academy believes that the best response is a polite and positive one!

Here’s to making it a GREAT day!