Schools play significant roles in building students' agency and identity. We have the most interaction with the students during the day. What teachers, staff and peers say will build or destroy students' agency and identity. Additionally, what students hear the most will play in a role in how they see themselves. This can be positive and negative. If we say, "you're the bad kid" they think that. They will behave that way because they feel like that is their identity. However, if we say, "You worked very hard on this project and earned an A," this will build self-driven, hard-working students. What is being said at school matters in how students see themselves.
2. How aware are you and your colleagues of the impact our choice of words have on developing students’ agency and identity? Can you give examples?
HSHMC is very lucky to have read the book, Choice Words, years back. Since then, we have had professional development on our words with the students. It now has blended with Restorative Practices, so we might as a staff revisit this idea soon.
As a staff collectively we more often than not encourage students to work hard and be proud of grit. When students work hard to earn a passing grade, (not just an A) we celebrate that grit. However, there are times when some staff and teachers use sarcasm to redirect students and that can be viewed as negative. We are trying to move away from sarcasm, but it is hard because "joking" and "sarcasm" can be blurred together and makes it hard to stop one and not the other.
3. What would you do, if anything, to make using choice words a more conscious and accountable school wide practice if you were the school leader?
As a leader I would provide "sentence frames" for all the classrooms to make sure teachers and staff know how to use choice words in building agency. Additionally, since HSHMC read the book,"Choice Words" as a staff, it would be beneficial for all members of the staff to have a meaning conversation about making choice words a part of the culture. Also, I would encourage staff and teachers to have more positive conversations with students. This would take place at least once a week and with a variety of students.
4. What could you do, if anything, to make the use of choice words a more conscious and accountable personal practice as well as one embraced by others on your site? Are those things within your sphere of influence?
I need to be aware of how a praise a student and redirect students in the classroom. SInce I work very closely with the other 10th grade teachers, I can watch them use choice words in their classes. Also, since I am a head coach of two sports at the school, I beed to be more conscious of what I am saying to my student athletes. How I speak to my student athletes on the field and in the classroom should not be that different. I need to build agency in both environments and require that my assistant coaches do the same.
5. Commit to 5 things you are willing to do this semester that will make your school choose words wisely?
1. Do not use sarcasm
2. Tell my students what "Choice Words" mean
3.Meet with students to build agency at least once a week
4. Informal conversations in class (one-on-one) about who they think they are as students
5. Circles (community build during this time)