Failure is an important part of success. Though this seems contradictory to some, YCDSB alumni Stephanie Gaglione swears it was a crucially formative part of her journey. Ms. Gaglione spoke with Grade 9 students yesterday morning to share messages of persistence and resiliency all the way from her post in the lab as a Rhodes Scholar in Oxford, UK.
Ms. Gaglione had students mesmerized as she spoke of her experiences in the IB Programme when she was in high school, and how they have impacted her up until today, over 10 years later.
“I actually submitted my papers to the office to drop out of IB. I didn’t think it was something I wanted to continue. But when I walked out of the office and down the hallway, I knew that wasn’t the decision for me. I went back into the office and asked for my papers back.”
Ms. Gaglione spoke of moments like this throughout her presentation, which have shaped who she has become. Though these moments were not easy, she reiterated to students that they were necessary hurdles that helped her to grow both personally and professionally. Ms. Gaglione’s messages were well-received by students who face similar difficult decisions and struggle to determine what the best path for them will be. We can’t wait to see our students’ growth as they navigate their paths over the next several years!
Thank you to Ms. Gaglione for joining us all the way from the UK and to Ms. Dametto for organizing the opportunity! We look forward to welcoming her back, albeit virtually once again next week to speak to our grade 11 IB students.