Sarah had always been a steady, dependable student. While her friends fretted over getting straight A’s, she seemed content with her regular report card filled with B’s. She worked hard, but academics weren’t her only priority.  Sarah wasn’t the type to memorize facts or solve equations quickly, but she excelled in areas that couldn’t be measured by grades alone—her curiosity, her empathy for others, and her persistent determination. Sarah’s teachers often remarked on her creativity and her willingness to ask questions, even when she didn’t have all the answers. At our school, she was encouraged to excel in both grades and character.

Sarah was deeply passionate about finding solutions to real-world problems. She loved working in groups, brainstorming ideas, and making sure everyone’s voice was heard. Though she wasn’t the top student, she was the one others turned to for help when they needed a fresh perspective or encouragement.

By the time she graduated high school, Sarah had been involved in multiple projects—volunteering at community centers, organizing fundraisers, and participating in a local environmental club. These experiences taught her that success wasn’t just about acing tests but about contributing meaningfully to society.

In college, Sarah pursued a degree in communications, where her natural ability to connect with people flourished. She started a campus organization that partnered with local businesses to offer internships and mentorships to underprivileged students. The initiative grew rapidly, and soon Sarah found herself speaking at conferences about the power of community and collaboration.

After graduating with solid, if unspectacular, grades, Sarah landed a job in public relations at a medium-sized firm. She wasn’t the CEO’s first choice for the role, but her interview had left a lasting impression. She was refreshingly honest about her strengths and weaknesses, and her genuine passion for helping others succeed resonated with the company’s mission.

Over the next few years, Sarah worked her way up the corporate ladder, not through cutthroat competition but through building strong relationships. She was known for being the person who could handle difficult clients, navigate crises, and find creative solutions that kept both the company and its clients happy.

By her mid-30s, Sarah had started her own consulting firm, specializing in helping businesses develop corporate social responsibility initiatives. She partnered with major corporations and non-profits, using her communication skills and collaborative mindset to create meaningful social impact.

Sarah’s firm quickly gained a reputation for being innovative and compassionate, and soon she was being featured in business magazines. While other companies focused on profit, hers prioritized people and the planet—and as a result, the profits followed.

Reflecting on her journey, Sarah realized that success hadn’t come from having the highest grades or the most prestigious degrees. It had come from knowing herself, embracing her strengths, and using them to make a difference in the world.

Her B’s had never been a barrier to success. They were simply part of her unique path, one where empathy, creativity, and resilience were the true markers of achievement.

We welcome you to the conversation.  Please let us know that you care by liking comments, forwarding posts, or joining in our dialogue at johnzurn.com.

Coming Next Wednesday- On Fostering a Positive School Environment

From our first posting:

“As parents and teachers, we need to reclaim our traditional role as influencers of our children – not by shouting louder than the influencers our children discover online, but by stressing ideas that are more important than fancy shoes and snappy TikTok tunes. We need to emphasize traits that everyone agrees children will honor.  We need to convince our children that the people who are most important to them have a better understanding of what it takes to be successful in life.”

John Zurn began his educational career teaching fourth, fifth, and sixth grade children in K through 8^th grade independent school settings.   He went on to serve as Head of School for three independent schools over a twenty-eight year period.   John has written a book on a comprehensive school-wide character education program which was published in 2022 and updated in 2024.  He is currently working on a book directed towards teaching Traits for Success to students in grades 4 through 8.

#charactereducation #successtraits #parentingtips #homeschooling #teachertips