Parenting
The Words That No Student Should Ever Hear
Words can make or break learning
Are you a student who doesn’t remember their teachers fondly? Were you told words that berated you and made you feel that you were wasting your time in a math or science classroom? Did you steer well clear of anything remotely technical as a result?
If you were one of the many people who were told:
“It’s best if you leave math, it’s just not for you.”
“You’re good at writing. Why not study English instead?”
“Boys are better at math and science. Girls are so much better at the creative stuff.”
Then, it’s time to shrug off the negative, backward, and sexist sentiments. No- really, shrug your shoulders and shake them off violently. Accompany those shrugs with positive and forward-looking words instead.
Negative talk is still prevalent in classrooms across cities, states, and countries. As a certified teacher and also a substitute, I continue to see it through grades PK-12, and it’s heartbreaking.
