Memorial Middle School had the privilege of hosting Miss Marianna, a nationally recognized social wellness leader, for an inspiring and interactive session with both our students and staff. Her work centers on developing our inner compass, focusing on the mental, emotional, and energetic growth necessary for personal and collective success.

With our students, Miss Marianna challenged them to think deeply about their personal narratives, guiding them through her four key components of story development:

✨ Community Cultivation – Understanding the power of relationships and building a strong support system.
🪞 Self-Awareness – Recognizing personal strengths, emotions, and areas for growth.
🔥 Agitating Greatness – Pushing beyond comfort zones to unlock full potential.
🏆 Operating in Excellence – Striving for the highest standards in all aspects of life.

For our teachers, she provided insightful strategies on how to align their own inner development with their approach to educating and supporting students. By fostering self-regulation, emotional balance, and intentional energy, our educators are better equipped to guide students toward success.

Miss Marianna’s visit was a powerful reminder that true transformation starts from within, and we are grateful for the impact she has made on our Memorial community!

At Memorial, we believe our classrooms should be vibrant spaces where students aren’t just passive recipients of information but active participants in their learning. True growth happens when students think critically, engage in meaningful discussions, and navigate challenges with persistence.

Learning isn’t something that happens to our students—it’s something they must go get. It requires effort, curiosity, and a willingness to wrestle with ideas that may not come easily at first. If students only sit back and listen without questioning, debating, or justifying their thinking, they miss out on the deeper learning that prepares them for success beyond the classroom.

Right now, we are challenging ourselves to shift the cognitive load onto our students—because the one who does the thinking is the one who does the learning. Teachers will continue providing high-quality instruction, but students must do the heavy lifting when it comes to engaging with the content. This means:

✅ Speaking, Not Just Listening – Classrooms should be filled with student voices, explaining, questioning, and building on each other’s ideas.
✅ Justifying Answers – Instead of stopping at the “right answer,” students must be able to explain why their thinking makes sense.
✅ Embracing the Struggle – Learning isn’t always easy, and that’s a good thing. When students push through frustration and persist through challenges, real growth happens.
✅ Taking Ownership – Success in the classroom—and in life—requires effort. We will support our students, but we won’t rob them of the productive struggle that builds confidence and independence.

As families, you play a crucial role in reinforcing this mindset at home. Encourage your child to ask questions, to explain their thinking to you, and to embrace challenges rather than avoid them. The ability to struggle productively and push through frustration is one of the greatest skills they can develop.

Let’s work together to build classrooms where students don’t just receive knowledge but own their learning. Thank you for your partnership and for supporting our shared vision of academic excellence.

Respectfully,
Memorial Administration