Tim Childers’ Blog

Since watching Seth Godin on a TED Talk recently, I decided to subscribe to his blog.  He is a very interesting and sharp guy.  Something he said in a recent post got me thinking that his statement, although directed at marketing, is applicable to education as well.

If asked about their most frustrating moments in education, most teachers will tell you that they concern smart kids that simply won’t apply themselves to the work.  I have one of those students in mind as I write this post.  He’s intelligent.  When he tries he makes great grades.  Not good.  Great.  He probably knows more about computers in the 8th grade than I do at nearly 50. OK, maybe that isn’t saying much, but you get the idea.  I have been telling myself that if this bad judgment on his part continues, he is likely to be in jail before he graduates from high school.  His indifference goes to just about everything in his life.

So here is the quote from Seth that got me thinking:

Here’s a thought: Maybe it’s not bad judgment.

Try this on: “If I believed what you believe, I’d probably be acting exactly the same way you are right now.” (Better thought than said, probably).

If I approach this student as one who is making bad judgments, I can fight and cajole until I turn purple and he isn’t going to do anything different.  But….

If I can get to the heart of what he believes….

What does he believe about school?  About education in general?  About himself?  About his family?  About his future?  About what his teachers believe about him?  The list could be daunting.

If I can find the heart of what this student (and others like him) believe, maybe…just maybe…we have a chance.