Of the many goals I have as a future Bangor School Committee member, one of the most important to me is changing the way we talk about student success. It has been my own experience that students who show an aptitude for traditional academics are held up as the gold standard and quickly put on the path to college. We fall in line, get our As, and graduate with all the paperwork necessary to move on to our professional careers. But along this journey, few of us are asked if our academic prowess syncs up with our passions and career goals.
Some may be surprised to hear me say this, but I am a firm believer that not all students need a four-year degree. In fact, I think far too many students are fast-tracked into this path. Not every math genius wants to be an engineer. They may excel in mathematics and dream of being an artist. It happens. We just need to pause and listen.
I think this is where Bangor has a real opportunity to shine. With the implementation of new mentorship programs, we can gain a better understanding of where academic skills align with passions to offer enhanced post-secondary education and career training guidance. Whether bound for technical school or on a four-year degree path, all students deserve our enthusiastic support.
In my opinion, success cannot be measured by test scores and degrees alone. To me, success is better evidenced by one’s level of satisfaction and enjoyment in life – which includes achieving desired career goals. Imagine what it would be like if all students graduated high school ready to follow a clear path to their dreams, rather than a path pre-planned for them.