Stand with Addison's Heart of Grit

For the last eight years as a kindergarten teacher in a small rural community, I have worked to cultivate successful kindergartners who, after their time with me, will begin to look at life’s challenges in and out of the classroom as an opportunity rather than a hurdle. While they didn’t know of this superpower before, they would soon begin to operate as if they have always done so, living a life looking through the plucky spectacles of grit. Each day, Students practice the simple philosophy of grit; We don’t give up, we choose bravery, we fail, we try again.

For some, this skill of grit must be fostered, for others it is as if this skill has been imprinted upon their DNA at conception. This could be no truer than in the case of Addison Jones. A gritty ten-year-old girl facing a congenital heart defect/disease threatening to cut her life short.

While I missed having sweet Addison in kindergarten, I had the pleasure of teaching her doubly sweet sister, Cody. That is the wonderful thing about our school…we as teachers have the incredible opportunity of not just knowing and loving our students, but often times their siblings.

True demonstrations of grit like Addison's inspire and begin to breed grit into the lives of others. And so it has indeed inspired. I will be using my grit, walking in support of Addison in the fight for her life. I will be walking a total of 50 miles. Each mile will be done so wearing a weighted vest (20 lb.) and will be tracked. Please join me in Addison’s gritty fight and donate.

Please follow the attached link to find out more about Addison's fight for life: Addison's Heart of Grit