Leaders of Today: From Teens to Titans

A student-athlete shares about mental health, academic challenges, making choices after high school and much more

In this episode, we meet Maddie, a 16-year-old senior, who is a three-season athlete. She is a driven and competitive athlete, who also loves school and challenging classes. Balancing all she wants can be difficult, but she shares how she learned her limits.

 

Her dream school would have less structured time for academics, flexible time for sports, good food, a gym and library of course, but more importantly, a mental health center, and mental health days that students could take without penalty. 

 

For her age, she is very mature, and has some really valuable advice on how we engage with students. Our words have power as teachers and coaches. While we may not be able to prevent every negative impact, knowing that power is really important in these roles.

Sometimes we need to understand the behavior as the method of communication from our students

This episode takes a different approach from our normal interview. Kiana shares the story of her 6-year-old son who is nonverbal. Listening to her share about Tristan and his experience gave me several ways how I can be better for my students.

Behaviors are ways of communication.

If we only give feedback on poor behaviors we communicate the message that those are the behaviors we seek.

The environment may be a challenge for the student to be able to learn.

Gain some new understandings about being a student from another country

I learned so much in this conversation with Abeer, a student from Oman. I admit before she shared the information about Ramadan, I had no idea. It is an incredible religious observance, and as a teacher who has students who observe there is an incredible amount of resilience.

I think listening and learning from other cultures is an important way to build community and empathy. We can all work on our listening skills.  

A smart student shares how intelligence is celebrated in one area over another

In this episode we meet Analisa, she is a student in Atlanta Georgia.  She shares her struggles in education mostly with feeling not as smart because she doesn't love math.  But we also get a chance to chat about some of the amazing leadership opportunities she has had, being a member of her local NAACP, and the creation of her book Little Oak.  She has written fables to connect the stories of social justice to animals and trees.  I am excited because not only will she be reaching young children with these stories, but also parents and grandparents who may choose to read this book to their children.  Make sure to check out her book here:

https://analisawrites.com/ 

How can educators celebrate each student’s strengths and weaknesses

In this episode we meet Ellery from Massachusetts.  She has experienced five different types of school systems and shares some what was the most beneficial for her, as well as what prevented her from being her best self.

 

She shares that students actually find asking teachers for help easier than asking their peers.  She also shares that sometimes the leader in the class is the one who shows that it is ok to ask questions.  How the teacher responds tells the class if it is ok.

 

As she enters her junior year she sees some of her town peers going into their senior year.  She is grateful for the choice to reclass, and the experiences she has had throughout her educational journey.

The road less traveled - how a student changed the course of her own learning.

I cannot tell you how impressed I am with this wonderful woman.  She has already taken a path that many have not taken, and through that journey she has really discovered herself. A chance post on Linked in has allowed me to capture her thoughts, and share them with you! 

You never know who is looking and listening - please share and connect me to a student who has a story to tell!

Find Oliva here https://www.blacklifeblueworld.com/

This confident student shares the experience of moving to another country under the notion of having a choice

When do you allow students to make their own choices in your classroom? Sadly we often forget that allowing students to choose is essential to their learning.

 

But we know best - we have seen countless students make the mistakes I am preventing you from making so that you can be successful.  We think we are doing the right thing, but if we step back and allow students to make the mistakes then they learn more than just the lesson of the content we are teaching, they learn how to learn from their mistakes.

 

As educators we don't want them to make mistakes, especially when we know they are going to make it, but making mistakes is part of the their education, so let's try not to prevent, and be ready to support when they fail.

 

Enjoy this episode with Gabby Harper, who reminded me the positive of letting students make their own choices and mistakes.

 

A former student shares how I and other educators can open doors for students to feel seen in the classroom.

Beck shares his journey from Megan to Beck - even how he chose his name.  There is so much to be learned from this conversation.  Peers learn how to handle when a friend tells you that they may not be what is seen as 'normal,' to the media.  Teachers learn how to validate and making some slight adjustments to be that safe place for students.  What a great story!  I am so lucky to have known Beck and had a relationship with him to allow him to open up here for you.

@Beckscottborwn IG and Facebook

Find him and connect to an ally!

Building Curiosity

After meeting Alex, I knew he was well beyond his years.  I enjoyed every conversation I had with Alex this past year.  He is a leader without needing a title, and I am grateful to have had an opportunity to get to know him, and capture his ideas about homework and developing student curiosity.

 

 

Connection and Confidence

In the first episode of Season 2 we meet Yawa, an African refugee, who has made it on her own in America.  She came as a five year old, and now spends time with youth in New Hampshire, who are like her.  There is so much that you will learn from her, whether you are an educator, a student, or an listener following me for other reasons.  I enjoyed my conversation with Yawa so much.

 

You can follow her on linked in @Yawa Asante or instagram Minimal African.