"The Weakest Link"

At the beginning of the brand new school year, I had my students create a chain by taking a strip of paper and writing their goals for the school year on one side, and their strengths and talents on the other. I then had them connect the chain together and we hung it from the ceiling with the words on the board next to it that states, “We are only as strong as our weakest link.”

It is ironic that I would place this famous series of words on the wall, because it has always been one of my least favorite quotes of all time. Why? Because, I completely misunderstood its meaning. In fact, I thought it was cruel, for as I understood it, it meant that there was a weak person in our midst and they must be cut out; the weakest member of the team hurts the team and must be eliminated. Sure, I knew it was a rally cry for the team to pull together and do their best so as not to be that proverbial “weakest link,” yet still it shouted, “There’s a weak member on the team, and they must be eliminated!”

What I have come to understand is the complete opposite of what I originally thought. “We are only as strong as our weakest link,” means that all of us (teachers and students alike) need to pull together to help one another rise to the top so that as a team, we are all strong; if someone is “weak,” and we are “strong,” we must take our strength and pour it upon the other; or if we are “weak” and someone is “strong,” we must go and find the help we need.

One of my favorite areas of training came from the seminars of “differentiated teaching,” and to me the philosophy of differentiated teaching is greatly centered around the “chain philosophy” of the “weakest link.” Differentiated Teaching encourages an atmosphere of collaboration (at appropriate times) within the classroom, and embraces the classroom setting of what I call “pod” (groups) of desks instead of nice neat rows.  It mixes various levels of students with various levels of other students. It encourages peer teaching and group effort. It is the “weak link” philosophy at its finest!

I wonder if there are other people out there that have also misunderstood the “weak link” quote? If you are like me, and have, may I encourage you to revisit the philosophy? May I encourage you to embrace this philosophy in your classroom? May I encourage you to reach out to fellow staff members who may have been struggling in the classroom or in their personal lives? May I also encourage you if you are feeling like the “weak link” to reach across the hall to fellow teachers, for there is no reason that you have struggle alone.

“We are only as strong as our weakest link,” is now one of my most favorite quotes, and the paper chain is still hanging proudly from the ceiling as it has been since the first days of school.  I know that life isn’t perfect, and neither are my students, but I enjoy going to school each day and seeing a healthy dose of “weak link” philosophy in action.

“The Weakest Link”…it may sound like a catchy title to a crazy game show, but it just may turn out to be your most favorite tool in your teacher-toolbox.