When school stops working, what happens if we let them lead?

Recently I was greeted with this calendula flower and bay leaves by an amazing 17 year old. We’ve worked together for 1.5 years when she left the traditional school system when it stopped working for her and she made the switch to homeschooling.

She planned and led our session. It was incredible! She created and beautifully facilitated a visioning and intention setting process that involved planting seeds and a succulent. I could totally see her skillfully offering this activity at a women’s retreat. She was so excited that it was contagious!

Here’s what I keep seeing over and over: In school, many kids who are struggling have ongoing experiences that they don’t measure up. It doesn’t feel good and inevitably leads to shut down and more. But when we take a different approach, a space can open up for something different:

We get to see who they really are.

We get to see what they really need.

We get to see their inner knowing come back online and lead the way.

We get to see their natural brilliance shine.

We get to see them reorient from shut down to engagement.

We get to see them excitedly share who they are and what lights them up.

And that is such a gift to be in the presence of.