Title: Eight Ways to Encourage Student Voice
Headings: Eight Ways to Encourage Student Voice
Eight Ways to Encourage Student Voice
By Cris Charbonneau
Eight ways my teachers encouraged student voice:

Content: I was outspoken and social on the playground, but in the classroom, I didn’t want to, or even feel like I could, fail in front of others for fear of not being popular or being made fun of or, worse, disappointing my parents who sacrificed so much to be here. Teachers and their relationships with students are at the heart of personalized learning. During my transition from elementary school to junior high, I had two of the most amazing teachers that took the time to understand me, not just academically, but personally. Through that deeper engagement, they understood my concerns and worked to create a learning environment that encouraged my voice and drew out the ways I felt comfortable contributing. And overtime, their approaches to address my personal needs and abilities, strengthened my confidence and helped me to discover my unique skills and ways that I learned best. Eight ways my teachers encouraged student voice: Lift up under-engaged voices. Listen to students whose voices are seldom heard, including students from minority groups, who have different cultural backgrounds, lower grades or socioeconomic status or seem quieter around their peers. Give kids more discussion time to explore and develop their ideas. It’s tough to formulate an opinion on something when you’re still trying to figure out what it is.