Your Words Have Power

I was a teacher-in-training in a high school English class. It wasn’t just any class but a class for students with emotional and behavioral challenges which prevented them from success in mainstream classes.

The teacher, who clearly found no joy in this particular assignment (and possibly not too many other places either), was reviewing the reading from Tom Sawyer with the class.

“What do you think was the symbolism of the whitewashed fence?” she asked.

I was pleased to see a few hands raised. I was eager to hear the students’ perspectives. She called on a student who gave his answer.

I can’t recall what he shared because I was so taken aback by her abrupt reaction.

“No!” she barked. “Someone else.”

I watched as all the previously raised hands were lowered and students tried to become invisible. She became exasperated and proceeded to tell them her perspective. Previously curious eyes now glazed over.

Your words have power. They contain the power to build pathways or to create dead-ends. You get to choose which.

Had this teacher been curious and asked the student to say more about his thoughts, she would have been showing him the pathway to deeper thinking. She would have been letting him know that his reflections and contributions matter. She would have used words to open doors for him. And she would have been letting everyone else know that they were safe when taking risking to share their own thoughts on the symbolism.

Instead she showed him a dead-end.

Consider your words and how you deploy them. Especially when you are someone who is looked up to, or has authority or power over others.

Words are powerful. Choose yours with intention.

Beth