US Counseling & Advisory Newsletter
29 January 2021
Creating Our Mission Statement
Ronan Dempsey
- Mission Statement Facilitator
- Mission Statement Workshop Organizer
- Grade 12 Advisor
- Upper School English Teacher
WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?
Dear Students,
On Thursday 28th January 2021, we as a school took some time to begin reflecting on our school's Mission Statement. We did that because it was important to us for our growth and development as an educational institution. During that process we asked ourselves pertinent questions such as:
- Should education serve the individual, the whole society, or a sub-section of society?
- Should education be the same for everybody, or tailored to their needs and interests?
- Should education disrupt and challenge the existing social order, or work to protect and maintain it?
You brainstormed together and as a result you came up with a variety of amazing mission statements. Even beyond that, many of you expressed how much you enjoyed this process of reflection, expression, sharing and creating.
In a similar way you can have fun creating your own personal Mission Statement. If you have a passion for the Arts, make it part of your creative process. You can Draw, Paint, Compose Music, use your Filmmaking, Photography or Graphic design skills and come up with YOUR PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT that is either written or portrayed in any other creative way and begin reflecting on the following questions:
- What do you consider essential?
- What's your personality?
- What are your strengths, skills, and talents?
- Who and what deserves your time?
- Are you making time for your goals and personal development?
- Where will your dreams take you?
- Why are these goals important to you?
- How do you plan on achieving these goals?
Take some time to reflect on your own personal mission, see what answers come up during your reflection and see how you can use it to motivate and inspire yourself as you develop into amazing young men and women.
Please upload a Pic or Video of your Creative Process here as you reflect on your Personal Mission Statement. Also listen to the short audio clip at the end of this newsletter to inspire you on the power of having your own personal mission statement.
Tessa John-Guerra
US Guidance Counselor
ASM Mission Statement Group Work
Eric Foinquinos
- Mission Statement Facilitator
- Grade 10 Advisor
- Upper School Social Studies and Arts Teacher
Sofia Pastrana
- Junior
I enjoyed working with people I usually don't interact with. What I liked most about this activity is knowing that we, as students, also have a voice.
Suus Van Rossem
It was fun being able to work with students from different grades and take part in something important for ASM.
Naila Massous
- Senior
Dr. Martina Bree
- Mission Statement Facilitator
- Dean of Students
- IB DP Coordinator
Harry Towbin
It was chill and felt like we had a choice of what our education should be.
Carlota Alvarez
The Mission Statement was an incredible experience that made me feel included in the ASM community. Getting to talk with students from other grades made me realize how we think differently but still came up with a Mission plan for our community.
Alex Vecino
After a long time of debating, my group created an amazing Mission Statement.
Gary Hamblin
- Mission Statement Facilitator
- Grade 11 Advisor
- Upper School Social Studies Teacher"Given excellent prep materials to guide the lesson, I had an unexpectedly enjoyable time working the students through the steps that culminated in the students writing their own mission statements."
Juan T. de Elizalde
- Sophomore
Tristan Balakrishnan
It felt important that we, as students, were able to have a voice in the foundation for ASM's principles which will lead to the continuity of ASM's education and ensure that we leave a legacy behind for the younger students to benefit from.
ACE
Alessandro Coen
- Sophomore
Katrina Dodds
- Mission Statement Facilitator
- Grade 10 Advisor
- MS/US PE/Health Teacher
"It was really great to hear what our students thought about our school, it’s aims and values. The format of the day allowed for thoughtful discussions to take place."
There's Always A Series of Failures, Disappointments, Hard Work and Persistence before your Success is Seen, JUST KEEP ON MOVING, KEEP ON WORKING HARD & KEEP ON STRIVING...Never Give Up!!!
MAKING FLASH CARDS
The beauty of making up flash cards is that they help you to take advantage of short periods of time throughout your day because they can so easily be taken anywhere you go.
The easier you make it for yourself, the more likely you are to do it!
Buy Index Cards like those below or Make Your Own
This is our last chance to say HAPPY NEW YEAR for 2021 :)
We also thank you for coming to the end of our fourth Upper School Counseling & Advisory Newsletter. Please send us your feedback and ideas here on topics to cover in future editions.
Did you miss the other Newsletters?
- Please go over all the past newsletters where you will find different study strategies under the sub-heading of Study Skills.
- Then go over all the different professions explored under the sub-heading of Career Guidance.
Email: tessajohn@asmadrid.es
Website: asmadrid.org
Location: American School of Madrid, Calle América, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
Phone: 34 917401902