Who Gets Student X? Seeing Students Beyond the Labels

The Countdown Begins!

It's hard to believe that the summer is coming to a close and a new school year is about to begin! I remember being a teacher and the mix of emotions that comes with preparing for a new year—excitement and gratitude, mixed with a little anxiety.

As you prepare for the new year, a familiar ritual unfolds among teachers and leaders—new and experienced—the anticipation of class lists. With each name, a story unfolds; there are stories we shape for students who have been with our school for a while and those who are coming to us with a long record of offenses. No matter the circumstances, we begin to prepare ourselves for the year ahead and the Student X Factor.

Who Is Student X?

Student X refers to those students often labeled as "difficult" or "disruptive." They become the subjects of whispered conversations in team meetings and other discussions. They are the ones we brace ourselves for, the ones who test our patience and our skills. Yet, beneath these labels lies a child, a complex individual grappling with their own unique challenges and emotions. We've labeled them, boxed them in, and perhaps without realizing it, limited their potential as well as our own because we’re not affording ourselves the opportunity to show up for them in a different way or be something different in their lives.

Our words and beliefs hold tremendous power and what we think and speak, our students can become.

Breaking the Cycle of Negative Labeling

As a teacher and principal, I came across my own Student X's (and Staff X's). One of my Student X's showed up when I was an intervention teacher in an elementary school. Student X, a third grader, labeled as "defiant," by most of the staff, would test me and my ability to see him beyond the labels.

Although I was new to the school, his previous teachers couldn’t wait to provide me with their experiences of Student X, offering me their take on what his problem was and offering strategies they used that never seemed to work. I felt that was year was a failure before it had even started. They described him as impulsive, disrespectful, and lacking motivation. Although I was young in my experience as a teacher, I knew that I needed to get to know Student X on my own if I was going to survive the school year.

What I discovered was a bright, curious child who was struggling with feelings of unworthiness, rejection, and a lack of confidence. By providing Student X with a structured, supportive learning environment and opportunities to lead himself and be in charge of his learning, I was able to help him overcome some of his challenges and show up differently—emotionally and academically. Was our year perfect? Far from it! But I understood that a transformation in mindset and behavior would take time.

That year I noticed a profound improvement in my teaching and understanding of student behavior; it’s like Student X had become my teacher as I found new ways to support him while creating new learning paths and experiences for both of us.

What I learned is when we place negative judgments on our students, we limit them as well as our ability to help them. By placing students in a box (labeling), we box in our own views, preventing ourselves from creating a different experience, and inevitably we teach children how to see themselves and become the judgers.

Strategies for Empowering All Students

To break free from the cycle of negative labeling and judgments, we can embrace a new approach to teaching and learning. Here are a few strategies:

• Focus on building relationships: Invest time in getting to know students as individuals. Remember each student comes with different strengths and opportunities, make sure you are seeing the potential in them and helping them see the same in themselves.

• Create a positive classroom culture: It's something about allowing children to have a say in how they wish to feel, and be treated, they feel included in the classroom experience. Establish clear expectations and routines, along with students, to provide a sense of security.

• Utilize differentiated instruction: Tailor teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of students. Just as each child is different, they also learn differently. Find ways to embrace different learning styles as well as ways to demonstrate their learning.

• Promote student leadership: Empower students to take ownership of their thoughts, learning, and behavior. Confidence shows up in our students when we trust them to do the right things. By empowering our students to lead themselves, we are demonstrating trust and building accountability.

• Collaborate with colleagues: Share best practices and support one another. When we see someone struggling with labels and negative judgments, offer a new, more positive way to look at things. Instead of going down a negative path that leads to nowhere, offer support and advice that will promote new ideas and new learning opportunities for everyone involved.

By implementing these strategies, you can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students, regardless of their background or previous labels.

This year embrace the opportunities, challenge the labels that have been placed on students and embrace new ways to learn from students by allowing them to become your teacher.

By focusing on students' strengths and potential, we can unlock their full potential and create a brighter future for all. If you’re reading this and you are a school leader, go back to the start of the blog, and everywhere I mention “student” replace it with “staff.”

Let's commit to seeing people beyond their labels and empowering them to see themselves differently, so that they show up differently.

Happy New Year! Happy New YOU!

*If you would like more ways to create a healthy classroom or school culture, visit www.culturecre8ion.com or contact us at [email protected]

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Keep the Conversation Going! Reflectiing on Labels and Student Potential

1. Reflect on Labels:

How do you think labeling students as "difficult" or "disruptive" affects their behavior and self-perception? Can you share an experience where you observed this impact?

2. Building Relationships:

What strategies do you use to build meaningful relationships with your students, especially those who might be considered Student X? How do these relationships influence classroom dynamics?

3. Positive Classroom Culture:

How can we create a classroom environment that fosters positivity and inclusiveness for all students, regardless of their past behavior or labels? What role do clear expectations and routines play in this?

4. Empowering Student Leadership:

How will you empower students to take ownership of their learning and behavior? Can you provide examples of how student leadership has positively impacted your classroom?

5. Collaborating and Supporting Colleagues:

How can we support each other in overcoming negative judgments and labels placed on students? What practices can we adopt as a team to foster a more positive and supportive teaching environment?

Having a deeper discussion will foster a deeper understanding among you and your team about the impact of labels, the importance of building positive relationships, and strategies for creating a more inclusive and supportive classroom community.