The Best Laid Lesson Plans: How Teachers Learn From Students

I do some of my best thinking on the beach. There’s something about the sound of the waves and the feel of the sand that clears my head. It’s like all the clutter in my mind just floats away with the tide, and I can think more clearly.

Over the holidays, I spent nearly a month at the beach - reading, and working, and preparing for the year ahead. Although many beachgoers settle into the sand with novels, I instead found myself under a blue-and-white striped beach umbrella flipping through classroom lesson plans.

In a few weeks, Ranga Jayaraman , Khushboo Chabria , and I will once again begin teaching a cohort of students in Neurodiversity Pathways' Online Career Readiness Training designed for neurodivergent job seekers (our next cohort begins on February 13. And you can join one of our Information Sessions to learn more). While we've been teaching these classes for several years now, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous before each opening day.

Such nerves are natural for any professional - I once saw Meryl Streep discuss how she gets nervous before each performance (although part of me has a hard time believing that). That can even be a good thing if understood and handled in context. Feeling a bit nervous before starting a new task can indicate deep care and compassion for the work ahead, and a desire to succeed.

This is a point I often go over with our students later in the course when they work on project presentations. I encourage them to "use that nervous energy" by flipping it over and channeling it into joy and excitement. I share how being nervous is natural - and recognizing that fact is key to what we do with it. When we find ourselves nervous about a task, we can let that nervousness sit and simmer and eventually overwhelm us. Or, we can recognize that it is there and use it to propel us to take the next step.

These are the types of lessons, in what Ranga, Khush, and I teach, that give me the most joy. I often think of this as our 'secondary curriculum' - those things not officially written in our lesson plans, but which are of primary importance for neurodivergent folks seeking to find success in the workplace.

Although I say these lessons aren't officially in our lesson plans, the truth is a bit more layered. With every new group of students, the tips and strategies we once jotted down as side notes now form key parts of our lessons. They're no longer scribbles in the margins, but front-and-center in bold type: essential parts of our teaching.

The reason for that is because - as teachers - we are still constantly learning. We learn from the requirements of companies seeking to hire our students, study the demands of various job markets, and consistently analyze emerging workplace trends. Most importantly, we learn from our students.

I've never thought of teaching as a one-way street. The best teachers and professors I have had in my life are those professionals who treated their teaching styles as a conversation with students. A teacher may have knowledge to impart, but the student has unique experiences, perspectives, and questions that inform the the learning process. Think of it this way: any chemistry teacher can explain chemical bonding in theoretical terms, but a great chemistry teacher has the ability to listen to the needs of their students and relate that lesson to them.

"One of the things that comes to mind is how our students take our course content and use it to make sense of the world as neurodivergent people," says Khushboo. "Whenever students reflect on an assignment, it allows us to see our material from a different angle. That further shapes how we look at our content, refine it, and that leaves us with an even deeper understanding of what we teach."

Ranga Jayaraman often reflects on a lesson he learned from a student regarding the impact of working memory and task initiation on executive function. He used the example of cleaning a kitchen, emphasizing the need to remember where items belong and the sequence of tasks. A student shared her unique challenge of being sensitive to water on her hands, requiring mental preparation to start washing dishes. This highlighted the connection between sensory sensitivities and perceived lapses in executive function.

It also helps that we have neurodivergent instructors teaching neurodivergent students. The sense of community and mutual understanding that forms when neurodivergent individuals learn from each other is truly powerful. Witnessing my colleagues and students support and validate each other's experiences has been one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching in our Online Career Readiness Training.

This environment of learning, acceptance, and encouragement doesn't just enhance learning—it builds confidence and a sense of belonging. As we navigate the program together, it's not just about acquiring skills; it's about forming connections, growing together, and recognizing the unique value each of us brings to the table.

As a society, we need more of that - especially in our workplaces. Ranga and Khush both know how passionate I am about workplaces fostering spaces to allow neurodivergent employees to connect with each other. Neurodivergent folks greatly benefit when we are able to learn from each other. It's not just about feeling included (although that is a benefit), it's about sharing strategies, fostering mutual understanding, and providing each other with the support we need to thrive.

Whether or not you yourself are neurodivergent, you can still be an agent of change within your workplace to help neurodivergent colleagues succeed. Here's a few things you can do:

• Establish employee resource groups (ERGs) for neurodivergent employees. These allow an easy avenue for neurodivergent employees to connect, share their experiences, and offer support to each other. This will not only foster a sense of belonging but also provide a platform for exchanging valuable insights and strategies that can benefit everyone in the workplace.
• Promote collaboration and learning. This allows all employees to leverage their unique perspectives and strengths, leading to innovative solutions and a more dynamic work environment. It's also a great way for employees to learn from each other's diverse approaches to work. This inherently helps neurodivergent employees in your workplace, but the truth is that it helps all colleagues as well.
• Cultivate an inclusive culture. Ensure that your workplace actively recognizes and values the contributions of neurodivergent employees. This can be achieved through regular acknowledgment, providing equal opportunities for growth, easy access to accommodations, and providing all employees with informational trainings on neurodiversity and its role in the workplace.

You may have never thought of yourself as one, but the reality is that all of us are teachers. Whether we are conscious of it or not, those around us are constantly learning from us.

No, not all of us have written lesson plans, but all of us have lessons to impart. It's in the small acts, the way we solve problems, the way we share information, the way we treat our colleagues, collaborate with each other, and how we handle our challenges. Every action teaches something to someone watching.

So, don't just be a teacher in life - be a great teacher! Listen to the needs of those around you, learn from the employees you manage or the customers you serve. Provide your colleagues with an attitude and environment that allows them to learn, grow, and thrive.

Of course, none of us are perfect. We all have our bad days, but even the moments in which we find ourselves grumpy, or angry, or frustrated can benefit us. Like the nervousness I feel before beginning a new cohort, it's what we do with those feelings that counts. Instead of letting them control us, we can use them as opportunities for reflection and growth.

And if you're a neurodivergent person looking for work, consider joining our next Online Career Readiness Training which begins February 13. There's still a few spots left (and you can join one of our Information Sessions to learn more).

John Marble is the founder of Pivot Neurodiversity and is a training partner and classroom instructor with?Neurodiversity Pathways. Along with Ranga Jayaraman and Khushboo Chabria , he is the co-author of Neurodiversity for Dummies (Wiley), which will be published on March 19, 2024 but is available for pre-order now. He is autistic.