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Interview: Teach Goal Setting Now For Success In The Future |
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Written by Fatherville Interview
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Here at Fatherville.com I recently had the opportunity to interview John Bishop. John is the Executive Director of Accent On Success a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping students succeed in school and in life.
Fatherville: Let's get things started, "What motivated you to write/design a work book about goal setting?
JB: I have a granddaughter who attended a "magnet" school in the St. Louis Public School system. I went to a parent - teacher conference and in one of her classes there were essays posted on the bulletin board entitled "The Night." One seventh grade girl wrote:
"I'm not afraid of the night.
I'm not even afraid when I hear bullets.
I take my brother and we lay down in the bathtub
until the shooting stops."
That night I realized something different had to be done to help children.
Accent on Success�, a not-for-profit organization, and the Goal Setting for Students� book are the direct result of that experience. We are committed to helping parents show their children how to succeed in school and in life.
Fatherville: Why is it important to teach our children about goal setting?
JB: Somehow we have to get children more invested into their education so they will take more responsibility for their homework and their school experience. These figures may trouble you, but they indicate the extent of the problem.
- In 2002, our nation spent over $382 Billion on education.
- Over 99% of these dollars were spent on what adults will do to give students a "learning environment" - building, books, science labs, teachers, sports programs, etc.
- Less than 1% was spent to teach kids how they can take more responsible for their education.
Teaching children how to set and achieve goals , how to set up an action plan, and how to overcome potential roadblocks will help them in school and in life.
Fatherville: How is your Goal Setting for Students� book different?
JB: We are fortunate enough to receive three national parenting book awards for the book. When I wrote the book I wanted to fully integrate three goals and three themes into the curriculum.
The goals for the Goal Setting for Students� book are:
- Help students learn how to take more responsibility for their education
- Help teachers reach their goals with their students
- Include parents and other caregivers in this collaborative learning experience
The book themes are:
- Parents and teachers want you to succeed, but you have to help them!
- Teachers are educating you on science, math or English, and they are doing much more. In collaboration with your parents, they are teaching you about life, how to get along with others, how to communicate effectively, how to take responsibility, how to handle stress, and how to believe in yourself.
- Successful people know it is important to help others.
Fatherville: Does the book offer something for everyone or is it only for the highly motivated, disciplined individual?
JB: It was written for ALL children in 5 - 9th grades. The Goal Setting for Students� book helps students learn how to set and achieve goals and how to apply these principles in the school, in sports and in their personal lives. Students learn they play a significant role in their education and in their future. They learn how to develop an "I'll Make It Happen" attitude and how to take responsibility for their education. Teaching students how to set and achieve goals will make a significant, long-term difference in a child's performance in the classroom, in the workplace, and in life.
Fatherville: Why would I choose this workbook over a private tutor?
JB: Great question! Many people have asked how the Goal Setting for Students� book compares to private tutors. First, let us say that we have a great deal of respect for tutors. This book has proven to be a valuable tool for parents, teachers and tutors in their efforts to help children succeed. People tell us there are several reasons they use the book:
1) The material can be used in all classes
2) The positive discussion stimulating questions
3) Each chapter has a parental involvement section
Several parents have used the Goal Setting for Students� book as a valuable first step before they go to the more expense option of hiring a tutor.
Fatherville: In your opinion what are some of the biggest challenges that students face today?
JB: Time! With all of the instantaneous communication at student's disposal - cell phones, Wi-Fi, computers, the Internet, emails, IPods, etc., our children need fathers more than ever. What would the world look like if you were a teenager today? How would you sort through the constant barrage of information and decide what is important?
It is essential that our children learn how the goal setting principles and use how to use them in combination with the positive character development traits they learn from their parents. At no time in history are parents - especially fathers - more important to the success of a child.
No other generation has had to deal with the pace and complexities of growing up in the information age. And, the pace is only get quicker. Children need to know that they can count on their fathers for sound advice about important life skills issues. When we teach children about goal setting, and give them solid character development traits, we give our children a legacy that they can build on for their future.
Fatherville: How can goal-setting make a difference to a student in a class room setting?
JB: These principles teach students how to take responsibility for their homework and their education.
Goal setting is developing a plan and then taking action on that plan within a specific timeframe. Additionally, goal setting teaches us how to breakdown seemingly impossible tasks into "bite-size" sections that when completed move us closer to reaching our overall goal.
When children learn these goal setting principles they understand that adults are there to help them - but they have a responsibility to help the aduls.
These principles can be used if you are trying to get a "B" on your next history exam, making the soccer team or earning enough money after school to buy the bicycle you want.
Fatherville: Do you have any success stories you want to share with us?
JB: There are numerous ones, but we were excited to receive a letter from Ryan C, a 5th grade student. He sent the letter after his class used the Goal Setting for Students� book. In part the letter read: "... I learned to never give up. It is important to have pride in yourself and to try your hardest to achieve all your goals."
We love that letter because it means that Ryan understands that these life-skills principles can be used in school and throughout his life - whatever he chooses to do.
Fatherville: What are some of the big picture questions that the book will answer?
JB: The Goal Setting for Students� book will help fathers teach their children:
- Five ways to enhance and increase their child's chances for success.
- Six ways to identify and overcome potential roadblocks.
- Four key elements of goal setting.
- Five ways they can measure their progress toward reaching their goals.
- The importance of helping others.
- Five "I'll Make It Happen" words that will change your child's life.
- The six "Bummer Words" that will keep your child from reaching their full potential.
Fatherville: Thanks John. I really appreciate your time.
John Bishop is the Executive Director of the non-profit 501(c)3 organization Accent on Success. Their website is: http://www.AccentOnSuccess.com and their phone number is: 314-664-6110
Their Goal Setting for Students book has recently won three national parenting book awards.
On the Website you can find:
- Teaching Moments
- Homework help
- Resource links for students, parents and teachers
- Home School section
- Grant resources for schools
- Testimonials
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