The power of expectations
My own experiences in the classroom confirm my belief in the power of teacher expectations -- or the lack thereof.
One of the students in my honors newswriting class at N.C. A&T is a linebacker for the football team. And an architectural engineering major who wants to start his own business.
He really isn't that atypical of many football players I've taught over the years. The truth be told, the football and basketball players haven't been all that different from the general student population: Some are very high achievers; some are average; some are low achievers. Like everybody else.
Yet I've been tempted more than once to sell athletes short -- to view athletes with some skepticism. To assume that they are more motivated in class by the threat of punishment by their coaches than the desire to learn and grow.
I'm wrong to do that. And I actually know better.
Students like this bright young man periodically remind me of how poisonous and wrong-headed low expectations can be.
One of the things I cherish about teaching college students is that my college students also teach me.