Saturday, April 9, 2011 found me, our school principal, and three of our students in San Angelo at the annual TCEA Robotics competition. There, our team competed along with over 100 teams from across the state. The challenge this year was great, and half the teams struggled with the same aspect of it….it all came down to one tuna can.
I am here to tell you now that our kids were awesome. I have never been so proud of them! Did they win a trophy? No. Were we all disappointed? Yes. But I was, more than anything, proud and excited and awed by them. In a society that seems to emphasize winning over anything else, it is easy to get caught up in a competition. Yesterday, as I watched our three students struggling to overcome their challenges, I found myself more and more amazed by them.
They never quit.
They never stopped trying.
They persevered.
Now, although they did not win, they can proudly say they qualified to go to the state competition where they gave it their all. They worked together, supported and encouraged one another, and kept at it. Keep in mind, throughout the competition no adults other than the TCEA staff were allowed in the practice area with the students. This was to ensure the work and problem solving was done by the kids. All I could do was wait….and watch….and pray. Three rounds, three attempts, and each time my heart swelled with love and pride for those young people in the arena.
They were the epitome of grace under pressure. What a great learning experience for them…and for me. I was reminded, yet again, how fortunate I am to be in the field I am in. For all its stresses, all its worries, all its challenges I would do nothing else…..and how could I work any less than those three? They have set the example, raised the bar another notch, and reminded us all of the potential within.
Now our state faces financial challenges in which some schools face the prospect of cutting programs. One individual with the robotics competition told me she is very worried that schools will start with robotics and that next year the contest will face low attendance. I am hopeful that will not happen. The experience gained by the students is immeasurable. I know we will still have robotics next year. I am already beginning to plan for it. We may have to raise money for the contests, but that is ok. In a community that values learning, all things are possible.
In the meantime, allow me to float on this cloud of pride for our robotics team and the sheer awesomeness they possess. I am surrounded by greatness!
Christine Moore currently holds a degree from Howard Payne University and recently earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She is now working on her Ph.D. in Educational Technology at Walden University. Married with four children who attend Brownwood schools, Christine teaches 6th grade reading in Brownwood and has been working in education at various levels for the past 15 years. Christine welcomes your questions and comments and would love to hear from you!
