Curiosity in Education: Embracing Students' Unique Voices
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Chapter 1: The Power of Listening
Being attentive to our students can bring unexpected delight to our teaching experience. It can transform an ordinary day into something special.
Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash
This morning, as I prepared for work, I tuned into Amber Cabral's podcast featuring the remarkable Jose Vilson. He is an exceptional writer and educator whose insights have greatly influenced my perspective.
A particular statement from the podcast resonated with me: Jose mentioned, “I never assumed that students didn’t know. I’d rather activate things that they already had within them.” This thought struck me profoundly, reminding me that our students bring their own strengths, narratives, curiosities, and ideas to the classroom, which can shape a learning environment that truly benefits them.
In my science classes, I prioritize understanding my students as individuals with their own experiences. Before diving into scientific content, I aim to learn about them. We have engaged in numerous discussions, shared ideas, and practiced questioning techniques to nurture our inquiry process. Their contributions are invaluable!
Today, I had a memorable encounter that highlighted the importance of this approach.
Finding His Voice
A young man entered the classroom today, appearing somewhat detached from the yeast experiment we were about to conduct. I took a moment to check in with him, asking how he felt and what was on his mind—science clearly wasn't his focus at that moment. He shared that he felt a mix of scattered nerves and excitement. I probed further to understand the source of his feelings.
“I discovered that I have a beautiful singing voice. I’m kind of proud of that.”
What a joyful revelation! It brought a huge smile to my face, and the young lady nearby shared in the moment. His excitement was contagious, and I felt uplifted by his happiness.
I acknowledged his feelings and expressed how impactful that news must have been for him. I encouraged him to channel that energy into our science activities. He expressed eagerness and even moved his seat closer to the front for better collaboration.
Listening to our learners reveals so much about who they are and fosters a sense of community. Reflecting on that brief interaction continues to brighten my day; all it required was a few minutes, an open ear, and genuine curiosity.
A Note on Encouragement
Later, as he returned from the restroom, I heard him singing in the hallway, his voice resonating through the open classroom door. He truly does have a wonderful voice.
I feel fortunate to teach high school Biology at a school dedicated to music and theater. I eagerly anticipate more moments where the arts inspire students to discover new and beautiful aspects of themselves.
You can explore more of Jose Vilson's work on his website and listen to Amber Cabral’s podcast “Guilty Privilege,” Episode 7, featuring Jose Vilson.