Superintendent’s Book Club Reflects on Achievement Culture and Student Well-Being

    Superintendent’s Book Club    

The annual ER9 Superintendent’s Book Club event was held on October 29th in the Library Learning Commons at Joel Barlow High School. Dr. Jason McKinnon welcomed parents, teachers, and community members for a thought-provoking discussion of Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic – and What We Can Do About it by Jennifer Wallace. The evening featured an insightful discussion on the challenges and implications of today’s intense achievement culture. Never Enough explores how modern society’s relentless pursuit of achievement can take a toll on mental health, self-worth, and relationships. 

Dr. Jason McKinnon began the discussion by inviting participants to reflect on Wallace’s analysis of achievement-driven mindsets and their impact on students and families. “In our districts, we recognize that our students and families are under immense pressure to succeed in an ever-competitive world.” 

The evening opened with a brief summary of Never Enough, followed by interactive group discussions, where participants shared personal experiences and reflected on Wallace’s recommendations for creating a healthier culture of achievement. 

Assistant Superintendent, Alisha DiCorpo, stressed the critical role of relationship-building between teachers and students: “As educators, we have a responsibility to foster environments where students feel valued beyond just their achievements.”

Several teachers and parents shared concerns related to the impact PowerSchool is having on students. “Our children frequently check PowerSchool, which leads to heightened stress levels concerning their academic success,” remarked one parent, “ We need to address this issue.” Assistant Superintendent, Sara Scrofani shared, “As discussed tonight, success isn’t simply a grade or a performance metric in PowerSchool. Technology shapes relationships, and it’s essential that we use these tools thoughtfully to help students find a healthy balance between achievement and well-being.”

Dr. McKinnon thanked parents for attending, emphasizing the value of continuing these important conversations. Building on last year’s book club discussion of How to Know a Person by David Brooks, this year’s event reflected on fostering strong conversations that prioritize the well-being of our students.

The Superintendent’s Book Club aims to build bridges between school leadership, educators, families, and the larger community by tackling pressing topics relevant to student success and wellness. Future book club events will continue to engage community members in meaningful conversations to support students’ growth in and beyond the classroom.

In America, our culture messages us that there are unlimited opportunities for next level advancement, and we worry our children might miss out. Consequently, though, we risk pushing happiness over the horizon. If you get good grades, now you have to get better grades.  If you are good at your sport, now join the club team or the national team.  If you get a good job, get a better job.  Rather than pressure and judgment, children need time and space to develop an authentic self, connection to others, and room to grow.  Make a new friend each year and work through a challenge with patience, grace, and self-forgiveness.  Building a self, building a life, and building relationships take time.  The wise ones tell us that happiness is based on living a life of meaning and not based on external metrics like the number of social media likes, PowerSchool averages, and the number of dollars in one's bank account. -- Angela Staron, Department Chair, JBHS Humanities

The book discussion was an excellent opportunity for the tri-district to come together and discuss positive ways to promote the mental health status of our community. Never Enough was a perfect read for parents, teachers, and administrators. The room was filled with adults genuinely caring about students' social-emotional well-being in the Easton, Redding, and Tri-District schools.  -- Sunny Michelle Paciello, SSES Kindergarten Teacher

It was a wonderful chance to connect on a relevant topic with my colleagues when not bogged down by the competing priorities of the school day. Identifying and talking about the stress and pressure that is very present in our society is a great first step on shifting a culture. Thank you for the opportunity!  -- Catherine Hilser, JBHS Director of Counseling

The book discussion inspired new ways to approach ongoing situations that students struggle with on a daily basis. -- Kara Flockhart, JRMS Social Worker