When I was in college, I learned one of the most influential and eye opening pieces of information that would forever transform my teaching philosophy and my view of others: there are multiple types of intelligences.
I could recognize that each of us had unique strengths & talents, but to realize that there was not just one kind of "smart" really shattered what I knew and my opinion of education, in the best way possible.
Yesterday, in an IEP meeting, I sat with a crying student. She was broken up about the fact that general education classes may not be the best fit for her and that it may be best for her to stay in the Specialized Academic Instruction classes she was currently in. After the tears continued to stream down her face, she began to explain:
"All the kids think I am dumb because I am in these classes. If I could just be in general education classes, then maybe, for once, people would see that I am smart."
Soul crushing words to hear from a 16 year old, especially when muffled by tears. As her mom consoled her and handed her tissues, I looked at her and said, "Mary** we just finished talking about how talented you are, an artist of all sorts: singer, dancer, piano player, and you want to continue to study music after high school. Just because you are in different academic classes, does not mean you are not intelligent! You have a musical intelligence that goes shines. You are also a caring, loving, empathetic girl, you are so emotionally intelligent and aware of your surroundings. In no way are you 'not smart.'"
Here's the deal though: These words are much easier said than understood. 24 hours later, I am still aching at the fact that my sweet, sweet student is crushed, yet again, by our society's standard of intelligence.
Why is it that we as a society put pressure on students to think that there is only ONE type of "smart." Why do we continue to believe that academics are the only way for someone to be intelligent?
Additionally, after a conversation with my roommate and fellow teacher, I am at an all time high of frustration with comparison. Our students' minds are being poisoned by comparison. Before I graduated college, my mentor, at the time, told me that the greatest advice she could give me for post grad life was this "comparison is the thief of joy." How true those words ring to this day! Our students are constantly comparing themselves to "the average." Another fellow teacher, who has many more wise words on this, has brought to my attention that "average" is impossible to fit! So why do we spend 13 years (or more) of a student's educational career comparing them to "the average?" Why do we spend those years molding students to think that there is only one type of "smart?" And if they do not meet that kind of average or do not show their intelligence through "academics" that they are a failure (or will be)? Grades (those lovely A, B, C's, D's, and F's that we pass out) just feed in to our desire to compare students to a norm that does not exist.
We spend so much time arguing, comparing, tearing apart and starting over, in education, but really it leads down to one thing: NO student is going to be the same as another. Each student, regardless of mental and/ or physical capabilities, will learn, act, or express the same as another. I desire to see a classroom, a school, a district, a nation that recognizes that and puts more effort in to making school a safe environment for students to thrive, that builds students' individual confidences and strengths, and proves to those that believed they are "not smart" that they are, in fact, very smart.
I'll leave you with these wise words from a man that was so often told he was not intelligent, and proved the world wrong:
I could recognize that each of us had unique strengths & talents, but to realize that there was not just one kind of "smart" really shattered what I knew and my opinion of education, in the best way possible.
Yesterday, in an IEP meeting, I sat with a crying student. She was broken up about the fact that general education classes may not be the best fit for her and that it may be best for her to stay in the Specialized Academic Instruction classes she was currently in. After the tears continued to stream down her face, she began to explain:
"All the kids think I am dumb because I am in these classes. If I could just be in general education classes, then maybe, for once, people would see that I am smart."
Soul crushing words to hear from a 16 year old, especially when muffled by tears. As her mom consoled her and handed her tissues, I looked at her and said, "Mary** we just finished talking about how talented you are, an artist of all sorts: singer, dancer, piano player, and you want to continue to study music after high school. Just because you are in different academic classes, does not mean you are not intelligent! You have a musical intelligence that goes shines. You are also a caring, loving, empathetic girl, you are so emotionally intelligent and aware of your surroundings. In no way are you 'not smart.'"
Here's the deal though: These words are much easier said than understood. 24 hours later, I am still aching at the fact that my sweet, sweet student is crushed, yet again, by our society's standard of intelligence.
Why is it that we as a society put pressure on students to think that there is only ONE type of "smart." Why do we continue to believe that academics are the only way for someone to be intelligent?
Additionally, after a conversation with my roommate and fellow teacher, I am at an all time high of frustration with comparison. Our students' minds are being poisoned by comparison. Before I graduated college, my mentor, at the time, told me that the greatest advice she could give me for post grad life was this "comparison is the thief of joy." How true those words ring to this day! Our students are constantly comparing themselves to "the average." Another fellow teacher, who has many more wise words on this, has brought to my attention that "average" is impossible to fit! So why do we spend 13 years (or more) of a student's educational career comparing them to "the average?" Why do we spend those years molding students to think that there is only one type of "smart?" And if they do not meet that kind of average or do not show their intelligence through "academics" that they are a failure (or will be)? Grades (those lovely A, B, C's, D's, and F's that we pass out) just feed in to our desire to compare students to a norm that does not exist.
We spend so much time arguing, comparing, tearing apart and starting over, in education, but really it leads down to one thing: NO student is going to be the same as another. Each student, regardless of mental and/ or physical capabilities, will learn, act, or express the same as another. I desire to see a classroom, a school, a district, a nation that recognizes that and puts more effort in to making school a safe environment for students to thrive, that builds students' individual confidences and strengths, and proves to those that believed they are "not smart" that they are, in fact, very smart.
I'll leave you with these wise words from a man that was so often told he was not intelligent, and proved the world wrong: