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We are in the middle of our hero unit, studying the monomyth, reading the Odyssey, and thinking and writing about real life heroes and what makes up a hero. It’s been an eye-opener as it always is, but more so this year as my freshmen can’t really name any heroes. They aren’t sure how to quantify a hero or define one. Heroes are not real to them. This week, we’ll begin our final writing project on heroes in our lives. I am hoping to open some hearts.

I asked them to write about someone they know and would consider a hero. And I shared this:

One person I would consider a hero is my sister, Julie. She is brave and honest and lives

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with integrity. She puts anyone in need over own needs, caring compassionately and passionately for others and giving as much as she can and more.

She is a prayer warrior. She has probably prayed for you without you even knowing, except

that you found that unexpected blessing in your life one day. She has a heart for the people of the middle east, traveling to Syria and other places for mission work two or three times a year.

She loves her family like a mother bear with cubs, even when we annoy her beyond belief. She takes care of our sister, Jana, tirelessly. She sees what can be in each and every one of us and pushes us to be our best, even while she works to be her best.

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My definition of a hero from the writing warm-up a few days before I wrote and shared this one with my students:

A hero is a “legendary figure endowed with great strength and ability, noble qualities and achievements, shows great courage, daring, self-sacrifice and they are bold. (Webster) I would include that they are humble, willing to take a risk, see someone in need and jump into help, thinks of self last, they can see past today, learn from yesterday, and try to make a better future. They will rescue a baby from a raging flood of any kind and get a little kid’s frisbee unstuck from a tree.