Let's meet our students where they are

With the new Common Core standards emphasizing a greater need for public speaking, I felt this article related well. We have placed greater expectations on our students to present and speak in front of peers. This article really opened my eyes to the fact that not all students feel comfortable speaking in public. I haven't noticed any of my students this year exhibiting any signs of speaking phobia, but have in prior years. I really like the idea of meeting students where they are and gradually helping them to overcome their fears of speaking. This was a good reminder to meet them where they are, not where we are or where we think they should be. I hope to be more observant of my students in the future, and hope I can help them overcome their fears. Have you noticed your students exhibiting a fear of public speaking? What have you done to help them overcome their fear? Are these students getting more comfortable with speaking as their experience increases?

***How my friend's school "label" affected him - A MUST READ!!!!***

I was visiting with a family friend today when he shared with me his experiences in school. He told me that he hated school because reading was difficult for him. When students struggle with reading, unfortunately, most of school can be grueling. Because of this, he acted out in school and purposely did things to irritate his teachers. He said, "if school is going to be this hard, I'm going to make it hard on my teachers." He acquired a label as a result of his learning difficulties and behaviors. He told me that he did not make "good" grades throughout school, and didn't think it seemed to matter what he did because that was the expectation placed on him. However, he went to college, made better grades, and even landed himself on the Dean's List. His parents were confused as to how this happened. He told me that when he went to college he didn't have any labels and desired to work hard for himself. I find it sad that he was labeled, for one. Two, I find it sad that expectations were set low. My friend is actually very bright, can think outside the box, has more common sense than most people I know, but just struggles with reading. Just think of how much his school could have offered him had he not been labeled? He had the motivation and desire to work hard, but teachers quick to place labels damaged him. I use the word "damage" because he spoke to me with anger and resentment as he explained his terrible experience in the school system. I'm so impressed that once he got to college he was able to shake off the labels and work hard for his own desires and ambitions - not all have this experience. This is just one more reminder of how critical it is that we provide a home court advantage to all students, and that we afford them all the same opportunities for learning.