UNIQUE CONFIDENT YOU Poster

As an adult, I realize we can't simply tell children/young adults how important it is to "be yourself". I probably wouldn't have listened; yet, I see now that I was fortunate not so much in that I took a stand or was independent; however, I sort of went through life focused on whatever my thing was at the time, so it worked out well. Rather than being the cheerleader (which is a great thing to be) who wanted to date my high school boyfriend who was the BMOC, I was on the debate team, ran track, an artist, etc. who did date the BMOC all during high school ... and was the homecoming princess. In my first college (for women in Va.), to get to my 8:00 English Class, I stepped over half my friends who were inspired to protest after Gloria S. lectured us (and I was one who had hot chocolate with her the night before) .... Rather than go with the crowd, I wanted my A in that class I had earned. I wasn't intentionally being "unique"; rather, I simply did things my way. In my 2nd college in Az., I was the only sorority member in the art department and the only art major in the sorority. It came easy for me, and I don't know the answer why ... It just hit me as I am typing this, maybe it was confidence. So .... point being, maybe if we can at least remind ourselves (especially as teachers where kids are surrounded by peers) to let every child know that each is fabulous for who he / she is, each has a special (unique) quality that comes from within as opposed to from peers, each child shines on his / her own merits ... build that confidence, and hopefully the child will be comfortable being unique! Just saying ... : ) As they get older, they'll hear too often that there is no I in TEAM; yet, the way I see it is a good team needs UNIQUE individuals. The sports teams need the quarterback, halfback, shortstop, pitcher (each unique). The corporation needs the CEO, financial department, tech department, sales (each unique) ... : ) I did pay the Extended License Fees to use each image here for you! ... Enjoy. Thank You, Sharon Rhea Ford, NBCT - ART(www.zazzle.com/sharonrhea*) Please Bookmark me and come to Zazzle via my link ! Thanks.