Assertion: We need to communicate with people (students, parents, and teachers) about the things in this book. Parents need to know the effects of their decisions and how to mitigate them and why they should.

Assertion: Teachers need to learn how to build a relationship with their students and create a safe environment first to be able to effectively teach and students can better learn.

Assertion: Equipping parents with knowledge from this book would be help them navigate, reflect and make a decision on what is best for their child.

Assertion: Teachers need to learn how to build a relationship with their students and create a safe environment first to be able to effectively teach and students can learn better.

Assertion: The book highlights that many Teachers and Students will see incentives as work (job) and, in turn, counteract the desired outcome. TIA!!!

Assertion: Educators must prioritize the needs of these students and provide them with the tools necessary to build confidence and emotional resilience, helping them better cope with stress.

Assertion: As educators, we need to provide students with opportunities to have a productive struggle. It is important to create an environment where students are allowed to make mistakes but learn from them to succeed. It can be easier to just give students the information, but it is more productive to have them develop and come to their own understanding.

Assertion: Author Paul Tough provides examples and success stories of how to help more students succeed. My response to us knowing what to do is why aren’t more districts following this exemplar model and implementing the key findings. Is it a funding or time issue?

Assertion: We need to share the thoughts from this book with parents and teachers so that we can start supporting each other to better support students. Seeing that high expectations with reinforcement have a greater impact on student success than test scores was enlightening.

Assertion: Equipping parents with the knowledge from this book will help parents reflect, navigate and decide what is best for their child.

Assertion: Professional Development for teachers needs to be more intentional about addressing this. Community programs that teach parenting need to focus on the neurological effect of stress on early development.

Assertion: ​Its essential to create a nurturing environment at home and in schools to develop skills needed to be successful in child development.  When children feel supported and valued they are better equipped to face challenges and engage in meaningful learning, and ultimately thrive in academic and personal environments.  Education should prioritize the whole child development, addressing emotional and social needs just as much as cognitive growth.

Assertion: School communities need to involve parents in their school community. When teachers work with families, it builds trust with the school and they are more likely to seek support when needed. Tough gives many examples of teachers working with students and communities to promote change in communities, teach to the whole child, and show how impactful these relationships can be for a child.