In my personal and professional opinion, schools, at all levels, play a critical role in building students’ agency and identity. In my mind, this is exactly the same as the role a parent plays in their child’s life. However, in a school a child will come in contact with numerous adults, which could be positive and negative. Therefore, I believe that all the adults in a school learn and understand this, so that they understand the need to work as a team and build a culture of achievement in the school.
I am fully aware of the critical impact my choice words have on developing students’ agency and identity. I have studied Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence, Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindsets, Robert D. Barr and Emily L. Gibson’s Culture of Hope and now Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey and Ian Pumpian’s Culture of Achievement. Along with first-hand observations in my experience in education, I can attest to how we can build or destroy a student’s agency and identity. “You’re never going to change...,” “You can’t...,” “It’s too late…” or no words at all, are all words that my students would tell me that they have heard from schools and have come to believe to be true. Students want to have relationships with school staff and look to us for guidance and support, not only for their education, but for their future and well-being. I believe many of my colleagues are also aware of the power of their words. Unfortunately, not all.
If I were a school leader, this would be another pillar that I would internalize and model on a daily basis with all staff and students. This is where it would start, and I would then expand on this by integrating it in all communication with staff. By seeing it, reading it, listening to it, I believe it will stick and help other understand the power of word choice.
I think the use of choice words is within everyone’s sphere of influence, including mine. I find myself spending a lot of time communicating via email, and sometimes struggle. I struggle, because I feel that in certain situations it isn’t appropriate and/or impersonal. So, I find myself writing, reading, revising, editing, rereading, rewriting one email, before I finally feel that it is just right. Most of that time is devoted to ensuring that my use of choice words is appropriate, because I understand the power of words.
The following are 5 things I commit to do this semester that will make my school choose words wisely:
1. I will carefully consider my audience with all interactions.
2. I will find a creative way to embed this pillar to the trainings I facilitate..
3. I will share my beliefs on the power of choice words with my colleagues.
4. I will do more research to learn more and apply it at work.
5. I will ask my supervisor and colleagues to proofread and provide feedback on reports and other similar tasks.
I am fully aware of the critical impact my choice words have on developing students’ agency and identity. I have studied Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence, Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindsets, Robert D. Barr and Emily L. Gibson’s Culture of Hope and now Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey and Ian Pumpian’s Culture of Achievement. Along with first-hand observations in my experience in education, I can attest to how we can build or destroy a student’s agency and identity. “You’re never going to change...,” “You can’t...,” “It’s too late…” or no words at all, are all words that my students would tell me that they have heard from schools and have come to believe to be true. Students want to have relationships with school staff and look to us for guidance and support, not only for their education, but for their future and well-being. I believe many of my colleagues are also aware of the power of their words. Unfortunately, not all.
If I were a school leader, this would be another pillar that I would internalize and model on a daily basis with all staff and students. This is where it would start, and I would then expand on this by integrating it in all communication with staff. By seeing it, reading it, listening to it, I believe it will stick and help other understand the power of word choice.
I think the use of choice words is within everyone’s sphere of influence, including mine. I find myself spending a lot of time communicating via email, and sometimes struggle. I struggle, because I feel that in certain situations it isn’t appropriate and/or impersonal. So, I find myself writing, reading, revising, editing, rereading, rewriting one email, before I finally feel that it is just right. Most of that time is devoted to ensuring that my use of choice words is appropriate, because I understand the power of words.
The following are 5 things I commit to do this semester that will make my school choose words wisely:
1. I will carefully consider my audience with all interactions.
2. I will find a creative way to embed this pillar to the trainings I facilitate..
3. I will share my beliefs on the power of choice words with my colleagues.
4. I will do more research to learn more and apply it at work.
5. I will ask my supervisor and colleagues to proofread and provide feedback on reports and other similar tasks.