Well first of all, I should introduce myself--my name is Ms. Bisson and I will be your IRLA teacher this school year. While you may be a little disappointed that summer is coming to an end, I can assure you that 7th grade will undoubtedly be a lot of fun. Sure, you will be challenged by your teachers, work hard, and probably face some struggles throughout this year, but I feel confident that each one of you will succeed if you remember to believe in your abilities and in yourself. I will now leave you with an excerpt from one of author Marianne Williamson’s books; this quote should remind you that sometimes it isn’t what we can’t do that scares us the most, but what we know we can do. This school year you will be pushed to work hard, but as long as you believe in yourself and do your best, you will surprise yourself.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same.” -Excerpt from A Return to Love by author Marianne Williamson