STUPIDITY!!

Do you remember what it was like to be a student? I mean really remember? Being a student again has really opened my eyes to a few different things from a student’s perspective.  I write this post not as a pity party for myself, but as a meaningful reflection of what I need to do in my own classroom to foster a safe learning environment.

A couple of nights ago I was sitting in class "evaluating" or maybe "assessing" (I'm supposed to know the difference) a peer's paper while they did the same for mine.  I was embarrassed of my paper, knowing I didn't give it 100% nor did I have the motivation to give it 100%.  Very much aware of the fact I did not understand the assignment to begin with only added to the feelings of inadequacy.  Now if the problem was only one paper...I might not have felt so pitiful, I mean we all have one paper that stinks.  But the problem is a weekly occurrence.  I feel five steps behind on EVERY assignment and during every class discussion.   

After sharing my thoughts and feelings of inadequacy with a classmate, she reminded me I was making good grades on my papers and there was no way I was stupid or inadequate.  Although she expressed and shared encouraging words, the damage was done and I couldn't accept the good grades on the paper.  It wasn't enough, so what was missing? 

This whole idea got me thinking about the students I teach each and everyday.  Just as I feel inadequate or stupid, I'm sure I have students who also feel inadequate or stupid.  The question is who and how many? Maybe it is a home life that keeps them from concentrating at school.  Maybe it is a true lack of understanding because the class is moving to quickly.  Maybe it is laziness.  Maybe it is a simple lack of motivation that leads to not understanding content which leads to feeling stupid.   This is a vicious cycle of feeling stupid…lack of motivation…not working hard…feeling more stupid…having even less motivation…and so on!  Even some of the kids, who show mastery, can still feel the same emotions of stupidity and inadequacy.  My students may be sitting in class feeling stupid today.  Would I even know??  What am I doing to make it better??  I only have to go to class one day a week, but they are coming to school five days a week for eight hours.  WHOA - talk about dampening a spirit! 

These feelings of stupidity and inadequacy for students and myself have to be stopped. The more stupid I feel the less motivation I feel.  Interesting how that is connected!  Oh wait, I think there is a motivation theory on that! If this is how I feel, imagine what my students feel as we cover 27 lessons in 19 days.  Or how they feel coming to school everyday of the week? Or when they don't have anything anywhere that makes them feel successful. I think the issue has to be addressed in our classroom and we MUST reach out to ALL our kids. When reaching out, we must ensure they are not feeling stupid or inadequate. So many times our kids act out because they are feeling five steps behind everyone else and just don't want anyone to see it. What can you do? 

In order to offer suggestions, I tried to think about what would help me in my class.  Although I don't have concrete ideas or even the answers, I'll share six things I think would help safeguard your students from feeling stupid. 

1. Get to know your kids so you can read their emotions and body language.  Know when they aren't feeling confident.  This will take time, but it is important.

2. Encourage your students and offer praise.  Acknowledge effort!

3. Love your kids as your own. 

4. Put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself how you would feel as a student in your own class? 

5. Reflect on the words and tone you use with students. 
6. Slow things down and do what you do best…teach!

Fostering a supportive encouraging environment can be what a child needs to flourish! Christ never once makes us feel stupid for making the same mistakes over and over.  Satan is the one who fills our mind with the ideas that we are not good enough.  Don't let him convince you or your students.  Be Christ…