Does the past determine the future? In the middle school, the answer is YES, at least when it comes to the rewards for hard work, excellently delivered.

Eagles earned 126 of their 147 planned badges, with eleven Eagles one or above badge plan and many more only a badge away.  Bottom line – MS Eagles set big goals, held one another accountable and the results showed.

Today, the Eagles earned even more freedoms, including the  freedom for most to work anywhere they please and for some to collaborate with a wider range of partners.

To paraphrase Ben Franklin: “”You have your freedom, if you can keep it.”  In return for loosening the guardrails, each Eagle will have to maintain a minimum number of points this week, or return to their previous more restrictive Freedom Level.

Our lesson learned as guides: Rather than start MS Eagles with less freedom and ask them to earn it, it’s better to let everyone experience the sweet taste of freedom, and allow those who use it wisely to keep it.

Rewards first for all, especially when it comes to freedom.  Then natural consequences for those who need a few more guardrails to build stronger habits.