“Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.” – Bruce Lee
Change happens all the time, whether we notice it or not. It can be challenging to move to another country, take classes in subjects that are new for us, or sort out the ever-unfolding situation with COVID.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB/DP) students are ready for the world of today and tomorrow because they are experts in change and adapting. They learn to adapt by stepping out of their comfort zones, updating their thinking, and developing their resilience.
IB/DP students step out of their comfort zones when they plan and lead Friday Features programs as part of their CAS (Community-Activity-Service) requirements. Through this burgeoning leadership program at our school, they learn how to manage a sports or art program and how to change that program based on what the students in their care need. They step out of their comfort zones when they learn a new language, tackle a challenging laboratory experiment, or engage in deep listening around global citizenship topics.
Our IB/DP students adapt their thinking skills as they collaborate and communicate with classmates and teachers. They update their thinking every time they change their mind because of new information. They model what it looks like to say “I used to think. . . ., but now I think. . . “ – something that some of our IB/DP students say all the time. IB/DP students are voracious readers and prolific writers who learn to clarify and hone their ideas through their constant interactions with and creation of texts. They develop the mental agility needed to be successful in an ever-changing world.
IB/DP students also improve their ability to adapt to new situations by developing their resilience. They learn how to manage setbacks – like changes to the IB/DP curricula and assessments during COVID. They learn how to take feedback on assignments they may have put their whole heart into, but that can still be better. They learn how to bounce back from having a tough day.
What the world needs, and what employers are looking for, is people who can adapt and see opportunities during times of constant change. Our IB/DP students are some of the biggest changemakers in our school. They create positive change by creating programs and sharing their ideas about what’s happening in the school. They are thought partners and role models for how to stay adaptable, manage changes, and influence those changes to achieve better outcomes for everyone.
Our IB/DP students are bamboo and willow- they bend, but don’t break.
