BRIGHT SPOTS

Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration

November 16, 2023

Dear Educator,

I spend a lot of time in schools around the country talking with students and elevating their voices in their communities. Listening to learners is central to our work at the Learner-Centered Collaborative and it is always so powerful when adults pause and center young people. This week I was able to be a participant at an event at my daughter’s school, “What I wished my parents knew.” Six juniors and seniors volunteered their time to speak to families and share their experiences. Although many of the themes are similar to what I have heard from students in other contexts, listening to this as a parent hit differently.

As we head into Thanksgiving week and hopefully have more quality time with family, I want to share the advice that these amazing students shared in hopes that they can support you to more meaningfully connect with the young people in your life. I also want to share my gratitude for a very important Bright Spot: YOU, our learner-centered community continuously supporting and doing courageous work that empowers all learners to thrive. Thank you. 

With Gratitude,

The next Bright Spots newsletter will be the week after Thanksgiving. 

BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK

What Students Wish Parents Knew

I was really struck by how each student articulated the pressures they face to get good grades, plan their futures, and be successful. One student shared,

“We are overwhelmed by all the things we think we are supposed to be from our families, peers, and on social media.”

While they highlighted the challenges, they also had really great suggestions for what we can do as parents (or any adult) who want to create more meaningful connections and support young adults as they navigate this critical time of life.

Here are suggestions for one change adults can make right now: 

• Provide words of affirmation: They need to hear that they are doing a good job and that you notice when they succeed, not just when they make a mistake.
• Don’t undermine their issues: The issues they are facing are important to them and they want to be listened to and treated with respect. 
• Teach them time management skills: With more independence comes more responsibility and they don’t automatically know how to prioritize their school work, extra-curricular activities, and social lives.
• Guidance on technology, especially social media: They don’t yet know how to limit themselves and can get sucked into unhealthy patterns. They need boundaries and limits, even if they tell you they don‘t. 
• Give them a hug: They might be taken aback or pretend they don’t want it but they need it!

Whether you are reading this as a teacher, parent, administrator, or any other role, these suggestions are geared toward parents, but apply to all of us as adults who get to play a critical role in the development of young people. 

What are some forums in your community that facilitate adults listening to learners? Reply to this newsletter to share or tag me @katiemartinedu and #LCBrightSpots on social.

RESOURCE ROUNDUP

Elevating and empowering diverse voices in the community, including those of learners, is foundational to learner-centered leadership and these resources can help. 

LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!

How are you elevating diverse voices?

Share your #LCBrightSpots on social media!

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