Help Me Ask For Help

"My teacher taught me to not be afraid to be wrong and admit you may not know the answer to a question." -Adolfo

We all love the feeling of being right, of being in the know, and of being the smart one in the room.  We love it so much that we shy away from any opportunity to prove otherwise.  Think about it: after a PD presentation, the speaker will ask us, "Are there any questions?”  What happens next? 

Silence.  

It is not so much that we fully understand the intricacies of whatever pedagogical strategy we are listening to, but we don’t want to ask a question that might make us seem silly in front of our peers.  

That happens in a room full of experienced educators with all the patience and understanding that only a room full of teachers can offer.  Imagine how our students feel in that same situation where the opinion of their peers is of paramount importance.  

We have to make sure that our classrooms are the place where students can take the small risk of  asking questions because the only thing worse than not knowing the answer is being afraid to ask.  

Today, create one more opportunity for a student to ask a question, take a risk, or make a mistake without fear. Those small moments are where confidence and learning begin.