Quote of the Day: Mary MacCracken on Parenting & Family

Notice the word “building.” Not “teaching,” not “adding,” not “delivering.” Building implies time, structure, and repetition, the quiet daily choices that turn scattered lessons into something sturdy. It’s a word that refuses shortcuts, and it sets the tone for Mary MacCracken’s reminder: “Education is not just about academics. It is about building character and helping children become their best selves.”

If education is a building project, then every interaction is a brick. The way we respond to a mistake teaches more than the mistake itself. The way we hold a boundary, calmly, consistently, models integrity. The way we listen, especially when it’s inconvenient, trains empathy. These aren’t “extra” lessons; they’re the hidden curriculum that determines whether knowledge becomes wisdom or just information.

To apply this, start where influence is real: the next conversation, the next assignment, the next conflict. Replace “Got it right?” with “What did you learn?” Reward effort plus reflection, not just outcomes. Create psychological safety without lowering standards: high expectations paired with patient coaching. Give children voice and meaningful choices so agency isn’t an abstract idea but a practiced skill. Over time, academics become the vehicle for leadership, and character becomes the compass for resilience.

Mary MacCracken earned her credibility in the most demanding classroom of all: special education, where progress is personal, patience is required, and real growth can’t be faked. Her books and teaching reflect a practitioner’s wisdom, tested, refined, and deeply human.

Today, do one small “building” act: praise a child (or colleague) for a specific character choice, “You kept your promise,” “You tried again,” “You included someone”, and ask them to name what helped them do it. May your words lay foundations that outlast the gradebook.