The Ugly Duckling .. is it me?

I was reading and came across a casual reference to Hans Christian Anderson’s story, the Ugly Duckling (probably my favourite fable as a child). It caused me to pause ... think ... (I try to do that). 

I realized that this has been my journey in the school system. Never quite fitting in or looking the part. I just can’t “quack” like the system wants and my waddle just doesn’t stack up with the others in the “flock”. I, like the hero in the story, am left to feel less than satisfactory... it is my hope that, before the end of the story, I find the place where my “beauty” belongs. 

I wonder, how many students feel this way - just not quite good enough at things they may or may not value or think is important. Youth is hard. Feeling disenfranchised is difficult-especially when you’re trying so hard to “be a duck”.

“If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”  

We talk about SEL but maybe we should stop creating environments that amplify these stresses in the first place. 

Just some thoughts on an old story - trust a reader and Learning Commons teacher to bring up a fable in this space where I generally discuss deep, pedagogical and philosophical thoughts and texts.