how the value of courage can help students become successful in the future

This morning, during our homeroom I asked my students a thought-provoking question. "What is the bravest thing you have ever done?" I got a lot of answers ranging from overcoming small fears to being brave in times of life troubles. I am very satisfied that in one way or another, my students understand the the value that we are trying to focus on.

Courage.

I know that the concept of courage is not new and many of us understand its worth. In fact, this is something that we have attached to greatest of the great- the changemakers, the leaders, the heroes and all the great men and women who, in one way or another, have shaped history.

What many of us do not realize, this value is something essential in the success of our children. This is a key factor in developing successful individuals and professionals in the workplace. Gone are the days when courage is only attached to the great. It is high time for us to realize that this characteristic is something that can be learned and developed.

Professor Andrew Martin, from the Faculty of  Education and Social Work of the University of Sydney emphasizes the importance of courage and its link to academic achievement. According to Professor Martin, "Courage is defined as perseverance in the face of academic difficulty and fear."He adds furthermore that courage can be a springboard to confidence-the latter being defined as perseverance without the presence of fear.

"On some important outcomes (including achievement in literacy and numeracy) courage was as effective an approach as confidence. On other outcomes, confidence was more effective, however, courage was a very close second. So, while we already knew that confidence is linked to positive educational outcomes, this study is significant because it shows that courage is also an educationally effective response - particularly in the face of fear and anxiety.

"The wonderful news for students, their teachers and parents, is that if students who lack confidence can be given strategies and the encouragement to persist, they can have good academic outcomes - indeed, matching that of confident students at the same level of ability."

There is more to courage than we think. It is common knowledge that when we talk about courage we have to talk about fear-and if we will be able to teach children to welcome fear as something normal and to persevere with the use of courage, then we will be assured that whatever life throws at them they will remain steadfast to their goals.