Source: KQED
Sparked by Susan Cain’s bestseller “Quiet: The Power of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking,” a professional development workshop brings together educators to discuss ways of incorporating and embracing the “quiet” student.
The Quiet Summer Institute workshop, attended by 60 teachers, principals, administrators, psychologists and guidance counselors, taught on the significance of creating an inclusive environment for introverts or shy students through different teaching methods. By doing so, teachers can ensure a diverse environment of ideas and brilliance. Furthermore, workshop leaders urged that there may be underlying factors to a student’s quietness, other than personality traits; these include issues at home, fear of being shutdown due to biases, stereotypes, race, gender, and sexuality, and by creating an inclusive environment for these students, teachers can delve into deeper issues.
Workshop attendees learned important teaching tools that help create a dialogue with quiet students. There is no need to challenge a students’ silence by constantly asking them to participate verbally or punishing them for not doing so.
“Being ‘present’ or ‘connecting’ can happen through writing, drawing, or working in pairs,” said one workshop leader.
Read full story at: KQED