Cardboard Confessionals

Conversation is a constant in our lives, but we often don't have enough meaningful conversations, even among the people with whom we interact every day. Listening leads to understanding. Understanding leads to the capability to support. People, especially students, find themselves battling the odds day in and day out. Many are faced with mountains of adversity and left to fend for themselves. What these people are looking for is someone to have confidence in them. They are looking for support and someone who cares. People can have mass amounts of power with how supportive they are and how much they care.

Conversation is a constant in our lives, but we often don't have enough meaningful conversations, even among the people with whom we interact every day. Listening leads to understanding. Understanding leads to the capability to support. People, especially students, find themselves battling the odds day in and day out. Many are faced with mountains of adversity and left to fend for themselves. What these people are looking for is someone to have confidence in them. They are looking for support and someone who cares. People can have mass amounts of power with how supportive they are and how much they care. To show students the wide variety of thoughts, dreams, and aspirations, our sociology class conducted a social project. We asked students, ranging from 6th grade through 12th grade, seven questions that required them to take a step back and look at their experiences and their priorities. The confessions that we received through the duration of the project shows the resilience of the students around us. Below were the seven questions that students answered. What is one thing you want to do before you die? What makes for a meaningful life? On what one thing in life you have given up? What is something people misunderstand about you? Of what are you most proud? What do you think about when you are alone? Describe your life in six words Join me in an effort to understand and support students by exploring the variety of experiences and backgrounds confessed through a cardboard box.

I am the Superintendent of Schools at Florence School in South Dakota. I have a wonderful family that supports me throughout my endeavors. I graduated high school from Northwestern in Mellette South Dakota, and have received various educational degrees from Dakota Wesleyan, Northern State, and the University of Sioux Falls. I currently reside in Watertown, SD with my wife Shari, and daughter Kendall. The common saying "it is not what you know, it is who you know" is one that I live by. I have had great people around me that have helped me to get where I am today. My past experiences and the people that I have met have helped push my passion for helping others around me. The best way I know how to help people is to get to know them and understand their background. From there, the rest will just fall into place.