Legacy | A Publication of Lena Pope Legacy Spring 2016 | Page 2

Persistence
Dear Friends,

What makes a child successful? For many years, the
general public has believed that education is the key to
a child’s success in life. Certainly, education is a vital
component to a child’s success and we certainly believe
Todd A. Landry, CEO
that at Lena Pope. That’s why we have invested in an
exemplary early learning center, elementary charter school, and other educational
programs for children and youth.
However, research tells us that a strong education is only part of the formula for
a lifetime of success. Throughout the last several years, research has informed us
that social-emotional skills, sometimes called “soft” skills, are equally essential
for success both in the classroom and in the community. One of the “soft” skills
that makes a difference over a course of a lifetime is what many call persistence
or, as Paul Tough describes it in How Children Succeed, “grit”. It’s the crucial ability
to persevere during difficult times to reach a goal or desired outcome. That “grit”
is a vital ingredient to a child’s success and one that will benefit her throughout a
lifetime.
At Lena Pope, our teachers, counselors, and family specialists work daily with
children and families to help them achieve hope, happiness, and success in their
lives. Along the way, we also help them persevere through difficulties by building
their capacity of “grit”. I believe building this capacity in our children and families
is one of many reasons why Lena Pope achieves the long term outcomes shown on
pages six and seven of this edition of Legacy. I also believe this is one reason why
the children and families we serve today will not only be successful while we are
serving them but throughout their lifetimes. Thank you for your support of Lena
Pope which allows us to build persistence in the thousands of children and families
with whom we are privileged to work.
Warm Regards,
Todd A. Landry