The Things You Don't See

Ernest Hemingway once revealed in an interview that he rewrote the ending to A Farewell to Arms thirty-nine times. When asked what the problem was, he replied simply, “getting the words right.” 

I am not sure about you, but I find this very compelling. It is easy to imagine that for a literary giant like Hemingway words just sort of flow effortlessly as if they are from a magic source. We do not see the thirty-eight failed attempts, and were it not for this famous interview, we may still have no idea about the hard work, the constant revision, and deep reflection behind such powerful prose. 

This post is an ode to the effort that is often invisible, but that underlies almost everything worthwhile. We see the art project on display, but not the discarded sketches and quiet moments of doubt. We watch the athlete score the winning goal, but not the early morning practices, the injuries, the lonely drills. We hear the confident voice in a presentation, but not the rehearsals in front of the mirror, or the whispered encouragements from a teacher or parent who believed they could. 

As a society, we sometimes fall into the trap of mistaking talent for magic. Some of us are just good at math or natural at music. But that illusion can be harmful. Because it hides the truth that most often, excellence comes from effort. From showing up. From trying again. And again. And again. 

In education, we must keep lifting the curtain. We need to teach our students, and remind ourselves, that what matters most is not just the product we see, but the persistence behind it. Learning is not linear. It’s messy, personal, and deeply human. And that’s what makes it powerful. 

As the school year comes to a close, I want to pause and acknowledge what often goes unseen. 

To our staff: we see you. We see the hours and the energy you spend behind the scenes, making things work, and the dedication you show to help us deliver on our promise to provide a world-class education to every student. Even when you make it look easy, we know what it takes. 

To our families: we see your steady support. Your encouragement, your patience, your late-night conversations and early morning routines are most appreciated. Your investment in your child’s learning matters more than you may ever know. 

To our students: have a wonderful summer. And remember, every time you see someone or something that impresses you, think about the part you don’t see – the struggle, the mistakes, the steadfast devotion, that it took to produce those results. Success is most often the product of genuine and on-going hard work. It’s one of the greatest lessons anyone can learn.  

So, as summer beckons, here is to all the things we don’t always see, and to the extraordinary people who make it all happen.