On Friday I finished a series of meetings with some of my old high school students from Baxter in which we discussed digital technology use and the impact on their lives. I was so struck by the richness and vibrancy of the discussions and their ideas. As I was thinking about it over the weekend, there are so few times when I am not trying to teach my students something, but legitimately trying to learn from and with them. What a gift to be able to give them space to voice their opinions and know that they mattered. Conversely, so many of these students thanked me on their way out, saying it was fun and really interesting.

As I reflected over the last 10 years in the classroom, these moments have repeatedly been the most potent. I co-presented with a group of students a few years ago at a conference about how mindfulness can help you self-regulate in a classroom. I had another group deliver curricula to the middle schoolers at the school next door. to their own. I’ve watched countless exhibitions of learning where students get to teach their families what they’ve learned. Whenever students are actually put in charge, whenever we genuinely seek their thoughts and opinions, it creates magic.

I invite you to look for ways of bringing the magic of student voice and perspective into your classroom. Create lessons where you genuinely learn from them. Make meaning together.