Building on Strengths

Building on all students’ inherent strengths is another value that teachers need to embrace in order to make necessary connections of trust and fellowship with their students. Throughout their lives, each and every individual has had the opportunity to develop their own inborn talents, as well as develop those they desire to learn. Teachers in general need to continue this trend by providing their students with abilities to show and share their capabilities with others. This concept can be simply accomplished by including students in class discussions and presentations. In many elementary schools, young children are able to share what are commonly referred to as “show-and-tell” items. In high school and universities nationwide, more and more youth are able to present topics to their classes through the use power points and presentation boards. The opportunity these students will have to communicate with their peers provides youth with the chance to emphasize, recognize, and build upon their strengths. Therefore, as a teacher, this is one of the best ways that I will be able to keep my students actively involved in the lecture, especially those children who have exceptionalities where physical impairments and disabilities are concerned.