Expectations matter

Earlier today I had a conversation with a colleague about the importance of maintaining high expectations of all pupils. I am convinced that maintaining high expectations of all pupils regardless of background and circumstance is key if all are to realise their potential.

The following story illustrates the importance of getting everyone to aim high and reach for the stars.

Fleas are incredible jumpers. In fact, a flea can jump over 150 times its own size. If a man had the same strength, he could jump over 900 feet high. For some perspective, the Statue of Liberty is 305 feet high from base to the top of the torch. In addition, a flea can jump 30,000 times without taking a break. Imagine if we had that kind of strength and stamina. We could accomplish anything.
But if a FLEA TRAINER puts a flea in a jar with a lid on it, the flea will, of course, begin to jump, but after a while, the flea, tired of banging his head against the lid, will lower his jump. Once they become accustomed to the fact that they cannot escape, you can remove the lid and the flea will only jump as high as where the lid was. He will never escape the jar because his mind has been reprogrammed to only jump so high. The flea limits itself because of conditioning and experiencing the school of hard knocks.
Are you like a flea? Have you been conditioned to jump only so high? Have you hit your head up against life’s situations so many times that you are tired of trying? Have you had the wind taken out of your sails through discouragement, ridicule, and failures?

FLEA FACTS

A flea can pull up to 160,000 times its own weight. A flea can jump over 150 times its own size. When jumping, the flea accelerates 50 times faster than the space shuttle. A flea can jump 30,000 times without a break.
Lift those lids… break those jars and jump as high as your dreams will take you.