To grow students’ engagement… voice… personal responsibility and accountability…

I feel that as educators, we do a lot of reflecting on student performance and reflecting on what we can be doing better. And we should be doing that. But I feel like when we think about student performance, we tend to think about it as a byproduct of everything that we have done as the educator. And I just think that's a disservice to children. They are a part of the educational equation — we wouldn't be teaching if they weren't there. They deserve a say.
— Kerry Graham

Our guest

Kerry Graham lives, teaches, writes, and kayaks in Baltimore, MD. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Education, Kerry prioritizes laughter, compassion, and self-expression in her English classroom. She's grateful for and humbled by her ten years as a public school teacher.

Why this conversation matters

One of the most important shifts in K-12 education that we’re hearing about is a move towards greater student agency. When educators focus on our students as active navigators of their own learning and development, great things happen — academically and emotionally. And while we can want to support student agency, we may not have a clear picture of how to implement it at the classroom level. This conversations provides some answers.

Listen for

• A definition of “student agency.”

• Examples of how Kerry extends choice and voice to her “lovelies.”

• The relationship between student agency and classroom culture.

•The importance of students recognizing and accepting responsibility, accountability, and self-advocacy.

I think it's important at any level of education – with teachers, students, and education leaders – to recognize that the people we're serving, or with whom we're working are humans, and not just the label of “student” or “colleague.” And by that, even if student agency isn't necessarily in someone's wheelhouse, I think that by recognizing that every human is going to have their own opinions and reactions and feedback will ultimately affect a classroom, or professional experience.
— Kerry Graham