Page 19 - EdViewptsSpring2017

With kintsugi, the mistake isn’t run our character. It is in admitting and It is of special note that some of the
away from; instead the mistake is recognizing our flaws — and fixing times when parents have understood
embraced. The spirit of kintsugi states them — that gives us our beauty. me the best were when I began a
that it is permissible to make a mistake *** difficult conversation with two simple
with the understanding that mistakes words; “I’m sorry.”
are part of life and that we can learn When we embrace our mistakes,
and grow from them. The spirit of kintsugi when we make them visible, and
It’s a whole different way of thinking — states that it is permis- share them, and ask for help on how
a true paradigm changer. sible to make a mistake to correct them… that is true personal
*** with the understanding kintsugi. It is only at this point that we
can begin to stop and repair the errors
In society today, we seem to have a that mistakes are part of we make. But when we repair them,
fascination with items in mint condition. life and that we can learn we must fix them in the open with
Old toys are worth more if they are in transparency. You see, with kintsugi,
their original packaging. No one ever and grow from them. the errors are not just remedied;
seems to ask about the fun of having a they are made visible with the most
toy that is still in a box. Is it fun to have precious of materials — gold or silver.
toys that one can’t play with? Imagine that broken porcelain bowl This is the critical part about kintsugi —
Baseball cards are now graded. Every proudly on display with the cracks in making the repair, we acknowledge
flaw is detected and noticed. The more and blemishes very visible. What that the piece (or in our case, the
valuable the card, the thicker the harder statement would that bowl make? person) is more beautiful for having
plastic container it is kept in. No one Imagine serving the guests you most been broken.
seems to ask if it is fun to have baseball wish to impress with plates that have ***
cards embossed in hard plastic shells. chips and scratches. When we make a mistake, and repair
A valuable comic book is placed in a Do you ever use your best china for it, we grow as people. When people do
plastic sleeve and never exposed to breakfast? Why not? this as part of a staff, the organization
sunlight. What good is a comic book grows with us.
that no one can see or read? Kintsugi reminds us of what is truly When an organization grows, all the
valuable. When we consider kintsugi,
Cars by their very nature are left out- we are able to differentiate between people benefit. If that organization
side in the elements. Even cars that items of worth and items of value. is a school, the ones who benefit
are garaged at night are exposed to When we consider kintsugi, we can the most are the students. Let’s all
rain and sun and snow and wind, to understand and know what we truly practice kintsugi together. Today…
say nothing of shopping carts, stray cherish. and every day.
balls, sticks, pot holes, suitcases, and
the like. Yet, even with our cars, we *** ***
have this ideal that they must be flaw- If we are going to embrace failure as This essay will be included in the
less and without any bumps, dents, or an essential part of learning, we have upcoming book Impossible is an
scratches. We are obsessed with this to also let our failures be noticed. We Illusion. This book will contain a
goal of striving for perfection. can’t hide from them. We can’t run collection of motivational essays
And then there is this idea of kintsugi… from them. We can’t make excuses written by Dr. Semendinger. The
“The original piece is more beautiful for when we err. book will be released in June 2017
having been broken.” We need to be honest with ourselves. by Ravenswood Publishing.
There is a big point here — we are We need to be honest with our friends,
more beautiful when we are not our loved ones, our colleagues, and
perfect. It is our flaws that give us even the students and the parents.

About the Author
Dr. Semendinger currently serves as principal of Hawes Elementary School in Ridgewood and has been
a passionate child-centered educator for almost 30 years. He first enjoyed a successful career as a middle
school history earning numerous awards including “Teacher of the Year” and the prestigious “A+For Kids”
grant before moving on to administration. Dr. Semendinger has enjoyed working in various professional
organizations including serving as the President of the New Jersey Middle School Association. In addition,
Dr. Semendinger has worked for the Educational Testing Service (ETS), has served as an adjunct college
professor at both Ramapo College and William Paterson University, and is an enthusiastic presenter and accomplished
writer and public speaker.

Educational Viewpoints -17- Spring 2017