Jacob Barnett has been offered a great deal of tags.Brilliant. Genius. Autistic.
I enjoyed learning more about Jacob’s story. How his mother fought versus a deficit mindset as well as instead created her own “philosophy of muchness”.
That mindset of fueling passion is carried on by the Supervisor of the Border Institute (where 15 year old Jacob is now examining graduate-level physics), Neil Turok. I enjoy his perspective in this interview:
“My main work with Jacob is, where feasible, to take the stress off him,” Turok claimed. “I inform him, ‘You’re below to play and have a good time. We don’t have any type of expectations. Do not put pressure on yourself. Your interest is your most significant asset; simply protect that.’ We’ll see where it goes. However he appears to be an amazingly well-balanced young man. And also I wish he will be a leader for much more to find.”
Enthusiasm. Passion. Fire.
That’s what gas actual achievement. Wonderful houses. Great classrooms. Great learners. Fantastic educators. Great individuals.
That’s what we need to preserve in ourselves and also in our kids. That’s what we need to very carefully support. That’s where actual growth begins.
(If you haven’t heard Jacob’s tale yet, you need to read it right here. His mommy has actually also written a book regarding their experience The Flicker: A Mother’s Tale of Nurturing, Genius, and Autism (affiliate web link). You can also hear Jacob offer a TEDxTeen talk below.)
What do you do to protect excitement?
