Photo by Nina Matthews
There’s a lot of pressure for kids to fit in at school. How many passions have been squelched as students suddenly realized their interest weren’t cool?
I loved to ask students to think of all the ways kids try to fit in:
- clothing
- music
- attitudes
- hobbies
- sports
- grades
- classes
We’d get quite a list going.
But, then I’d ask:
What happens when you apply for college, interview for a job, or meet the man/woman of your dreams.
Imagine saying, “Hello there. I’m just like everyone else.”
Fitting in can only get us so far. Let’s make our classrooms a place where odd interests and unusual passions are not just accepted, but appreciated. And nothing can impact this more than a teacher’s modeling. Take a moment to appreciate your students’ pursuits, especially the ones that are a bit off-the-wall.