“I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it until it begins to shine.” “
—Emily Dickinson

In a time when public discourse feels coarse, fewer people read deeply, and we’re seemingly inundated with foul language spewed through social media, it’s easy to feel that individual words don’t matter. An exercise in Dr. Leslie Gautreaux’s 11th Grade AP English Language course offers hope that students will see how even a single word can have an impact. 

Visiting classes and watching Keystone’s teachers at work is one of the best parts of my role as head of school. I get to admire the way our teachers both challenge and support their students and introduce them to concepts they may have never considered. In addition, I have the joy of watching children and young adults grapple with ideas and revel in moments of discovery.  Watching our teachers lifts my spirits and gives me hope for the future.

On the day I visited Dr. Gautreaux’s class, students participated in a “Word of the Year” assignment.  Initially, they were to reflect back on last year and consider what had worked, what hadn’t gone the way they wanted, and what they hoped to achieve this year. They then chose 5 words that could guide them this year and explain each word selection.  

After the students chose their 5 words, they were to join with a classmate and discuss their choices.  By listening to each other closely and asking clarifying questions, the students helped each other narrow themselves to two words. They then wrote a paragraph comparing those words and thought about the following questions:

• Which strengths does each word emphasize?
• Which challenges could each word help you overcome?
• Which word feels like your north star this year?

Ultimately, through this process of written analysis, they landed on one word that would be their word for the year.  They were to compose a short paragraph explaining why they chose this word and ways they will live it out this year.  Naturally, they were thoughtful in their selections.  They identified “balance, discipline, ingenuity, prepared, perspective, pace, rooted, and challenged” and many others as words to live by this year.  

I asked Dr. Gautreaux about the assignment and she explained that she usually leads this exercise at the beginning of the calendar year, but “I wanted to open the academic year with intention and set a positive tone for our work and progress. My word of the year is ‘pause,’ after my scuba certification experience this last summer. It has served me well.”

The students also created friendship bracelets so they could be reminded of their word of the year on a daily basis. Although I had planned to return to the next class so I could hear the students explain their words, I had to miss it, much to my disappointment. However, the kind juniors created a bracelet for me with the word I had selected.  Red, black, and white beads (Cobras colors of course!) spell “present.”

Perhaps an explanation for choosing the word “present” is in order.  In the same way we ask students to forgo their electronic devices during the school day so they can focus more on their studies and the people around them, I wish to spend less time looking at my phone.  Truth be told, I have not missed the constant reminders of the latest news and the controversy du jour. As with changing any habit, there will be ups and downs while attempting to be more in the moment than in the past.  However, my beautiful Cobra friendship bracelet will serve as a reminder to live up to my word choice just like our juniors are attempting to do with theirs.  

As I close this blog post, I’ll challenge you to emulate our juniors and ask yourself. What would be your word of the year?