Courage Andreia
Doing the right thing even when you're scared, without taking foolish risks.
44 moments from Aim’s letters home, newest first. Each letter opens with the part that shows courage highlighted.
What's actually happening inside the Lamentum Institute
We do not build heroes in well-lit rooms with soft music playing. The whole reason there is darkness in the story is so our eagles can practice being the kind of light the world needs while they fight it.
Read the letter →I'm back...and we need to talk about the Odyssey
I've watched an eagle choose certain in-game "death" because betrayal would have cost them their integrity, and move the whole studio to tears doing it.
Read the letter →Heroes Aren't Just For Stories
Heroes, however, embrace challenge. They understand that their greatest gifts only emerge when they step into difficulty, take risks, and pursue growth for the sake of serving others.
Read the letter →What's better than every simulation I ever did in grad school?
Don't believe me? Case in point from a recent example-- just ask the eagles what it was like to 'swim' deep into a murky pond (think tank) searching for a much-needed artifact while holding their breath.They described feeling the claustrophobia and panic of suffocating and the intensity of the darkness.
Read the letter →The power of prayer...
But my principal was a man of great faith and offered it nonetheless. And a grieving community in our school auditorium, filled with diverse beliefs and backgrounds, all removed their hats, bowed their heads and united their faith in prayer.
Read the letter →There is a chasm opening under our feet...
created the environment that allowed for Aim's newly minted School Council to make some incredibly hard decisions that ultimately led to one of our families deciding to leave our community. And mind you, they did so with courage, love, uncompromising integrity, and wisdom few groups of adults I associate with could muster.
Read the letter →The Odyssey is not just a game...
The awe-inspiring display of bravery and integrity one of our eagles exhibited when they made the ultimate choice to stay true to their character, betraying the Phantom Pirate, fully aware that it would lead to their character's death and elimination from the game. This selfless act was a powerful lesson in honor and moral courage.
Read the letter →Hoist the anchors and unfurl the sails!
Last week I had to tell a family that their child was not the right fit for Aim and they needed to find another place for him. They were quite devastated. Conversations like that are one of the worst parts of this job.
Read the letter →Well...now what? Part 2
And years down the road, when the world's voices become even louder, and the stakes are even higher, do not fall for it! When the most important moment of your life comes and the world is telling you that you're crazy, and your cause isn't just...remember what you've learned here and Do Not Draw Back.
Read the letter →Would Aim still be your tribe...
When I watch these heroes peer down into their innermost cave, resist the urge to run away and retreat, and instead press on at times utterly alone, only to find out the cave is actually a network of caves that extends beyond their line of vision, and yet they move forward, I am inspired.
Read the letter →My biggest takeaway from this morning?
So thanks for being as brave as you are. It is not easy to be early adopters of something so innovative when the stakes are so high . Yet, you are doing it. Despite your challenges and fears.
Read the letter →Two and a half hours of gut-wrenching soul testing later...
And perhaps I misspoke. I said the eagles were faced with these demons. More accurately, they faced down these demons with heroic resolve. They held firm.
Read the letter →Thanks for being on this journey with me
Because the mindsets your children are developing are going to lead them to go after tackling/solving some of the world's most pressing and challenging problems. They have already mentally enlisted in the upcoming battles, accepting that at times that will mean a world of comfort and ease is a stranger to them.
Read the letter →How well do you know your eagles?
It is not lost on me how much they are willing to trust me, try new things, and work so hard to cultivate the very best version of themselves. I can't believe how brave they are. I don't think I had half the courage they do at their age.
Read the letter →Any astrophysicists out there? Someone help me out...
That's an absurdly long backdrop to a simple point I'm trying to make. Keeping your head above water in the middle of the ocean surrounded by sharks takes a lot of courage. And builds a lot of muscle too.
Read the letter →Expanding your mind is exhausting work
A moment where all of your character's plans have gone up in smoke, the stakes are higher than you ever imagined, and you are tapping into the unknown?" The majority of hands went up.
Read the letter →"Well....here we go!"
But our eagles are strong. And they are proving they are willing to fight for what they believe in. I have complete confidence in them.
Read the letter →Well...now what? (6/17/22)
Because it means that you had the courage to open your hearts to complete strangers. And you weren't afraid to love them. And to laugh together and cry together.
Read the letter →Session Roundup (5/20/22)
It was seeing eagles tested to their limits, figuratively (or literally in a few cases) forced into a corner where they had to know for certain, without a doubt, what they believe in, and then marching on to meet the challenges head on.
Read the letter →The Story Continues...(3/3/22)
They did not want to confess to something they hadn't done. But they didn't want to be denied the ability to return to the game and help their team. Many of the accused witches' fellow travelers stuck back in their house rooms with closed ports wrote letters urging them to confess and get out of prison. Over time, all but one had succumbed. As much as this eagle wanted to help her colony, I believe she had something to prove to herself...and that was more important.
Read the letter →The Price of Freedom (3/1/22)
He got back up into position with a fiery determination in his eyes and began to hold it. A moment later a few of the other rebels saw what was going on. Before I knew it, he was joined by four others in the wall sit position.
Read the letter →Year 2 Session 3 (12/16/21)
If we really want different outcomes than traditional schools, we have to provide different experiences. If we really believe that these children are going to change the world, then we cannot shy away from the moments that will shape and define and prepare them to do it. No matter how painful it may be.
Read the letter →Year 2 Session 3 (12/5/21)
It was many of the eagle's first time ice skating, yet they all jumped head first into the new challenge. There were probably 100 falls between them, but nobody quit, and everyone kept getting back up and trying again.
Read the letter →Year 2 Session 2 (11/5/21)
The eagles discussed this week how it is unfair to rely on a few courageous eagles to hold the line for everyone and be the only tribe members willing to ask for eagle bucks. They unanimously said that they all wanted to share that burden together.
Read the letter →Year 2 Session 1 (9/25/21)
Within the Spark studio, everyone received a running partner and set challenging goals for themselves. They weren't afraid of failure at all - their focus was on trying new things, being curious and stretching themselves more.
Read the letter →Year 2 Session 1 (9/18/21)
The Sparks had a courageous week. More of them have started to hold each other accountable by asking for an Eagle Buck when someone is breaking a contract promise. Others decided to tackle Quest challenges on their own, like the Da Vinci Tower, and succeeded!
Read the letter →Year 2 Session 1 (8/27/21)
It takes an immense humility, and a good dose of courage, to really begin a Hero's Journey. It is a fundamentally different approach to learning. An entirely different mindset. WIthout it, freedom becomes freedom to goof off. With it, freedom becomes freedom to prepare yourself for your calling in life. No matter the sacrifice.
Read the letter →Year 2 Session 1 (8/23/21)
Growth can be painful, but it is what we are after. In talking with many of you, it is what drew you to this model more than just about anything else. But it does take Courage. From every single one of us in this community.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 7 (6/16/21)
Watching them discover their callings over time is going to be amazing--because they are becoming the type of people who will face a challenge in the world to come that scares away everyone around them, but will confidently stand there alone and say, "I can do this." This was on full display today.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 7 (6/11/21)
If you had no food, would you have the courage to eat a bug? Nine out of 13 Eagles showed they would by eating a dehydrated cricket, sago worm or beetle. One Eagle even ate all THREE!
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 6 (5/30/21)
The fun part came when they began recording videos of themselves for self-evaluation. Any initial hesitation was quickly followed by sharing the funny parts and laughing at their attempts with others.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 6 (5/22/21)
At first, no one applied. Then, one brave soul stepped out of the crowd and announced a willingness to fill the role. With a quick training and not much time to complete the task, the Eagle focused and worked through the spreadsheet, calculating interest and the totals for each savings account. Right as the bell rang, the final amount was entered.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 6 (5/14/21)
One eagle had a thriving business and another eagle took notice. This second eagle felt that they could do just as good of a job as the first. And while it took some time before the second eagle found enough courage to dare challenge an already established business, they eventually did.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 6 (5/8/21)
After calculating costs, the Eagle decided to sell them at $3 to be able to make a profit, but was still very hesitant to tell others the price. After selling most of them, the price was raised to $4 per cookie. When asked why the price went up, the confident reply was "because supply is low and demand is high!"
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 6 (4/25/21)
When everyone wanted to jump in on a business that seemed profitable, one Eagle held ground and kept the business within the established partnership.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 5 (4/2/21)
But I will remember for the rest of my life these few special months we've had together. With only ten kids. A few supplies. In a perfect little basement. With a lot of questions. A lot of growth. And perhaps most of all--a lot of courage.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 5 (3/12/21)
The studio has seen courageous steps from many Eagles. Everything from holding someone accountable, acknowledging when they were in the wrong, stepping into a leadership role, and determination to do something challenging.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 4 (2/6/21)
After a few minutes of self reflection, this Eagle took the courageous step of meeting with a mentor. After talking through some guiding questions— the Eagle decided that fellow travelers should be able to work through issues and that they would bring it up by the end of the day. The conversation happened, and afterwards, both Eagles were visibly happy and playing together again.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 4 (1/29/21)
In holding their fellow travelers accountable, they both have demonstrated courage and grace. Courage in discussing inconsistencies and areas of improvement with fellow travelers. Grace in acknowledging each Eagle’s effort and giving encouragement.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 4 (1/15/21)
This is an area that the Eagles have struggled with over the past three sessions— yet this week marked a notable improvement. In this way, peer driven accountability (Eagles being courageous and asking for Eagle Bucks) has helped to course correct.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 4 (1/8/21)
She continued by saying that these discussions always end with everyone agreeing to hold each other accountable in the following week. Yet— she said— they end up talking about it again at Town Hall the following Friday. Her call to action was acknowledged by the studio, as they recommitted to doing better in this area in the week to come.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 2 (10/23/20)
They watched a video about Hannah Jordan, a fifteen year old girl who competed as a professional cyclist while battling a life-threatening condition. In doing so, she had to compete in races with a backpack full of medical supplies and a tube connected to her.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 1 (9/18/20)
We also talked a lot about courage this week. Courage to try new things, courage to get back up when you fall, courage to hold yourself and others accountable. They were challenged to reflect on a time when they showed courage to get back up after falling. Nearly all of the Eagles shared, which in and of itself served as a powerful example of courage and vulnerability.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 1 (9/11/20)
To commemorate this day, we had our very first Hero Talk with U.S. Congressman Chris Stewart. He discussed what took place that day and shared stories of heroes who rose up during the tragedy to help others. Following this meaningful conversation, we talked about what it means to be a Hero.
Read the letter →