Recognizing student talents

Ever wonder what happens to those students who constantly talk in class? The ones who drive you crazy with their chatter? The ones that hear from some of their teachers that they'll never make anything of themselves unless they stop talking and pay attention in class?

Well some of them become talk show hosts on the biggest talk radio station in the state! That's what happened to one of my students. Luckily he and I always got along well. He not only was in my math class, he was also in the drama club which I advised for many years. I also had his 3 siblings in class.

I ran into him the other day at the local coffee shop/restaurant. It was great to see him again - a college graduate, extremely knowlegeable about every topic imaginable from local to national politics, from imigration to pop culture. He and I don't agree on many things but I am proud of all he's accomplished and how he's chosen to make a difference in the world.

He's invited me to come in and see him at work. In fact, I may even be a guest someday to provide the posiive viewpoint to balance all the negative news in the world (quite an honor to be asked and considered as a guest especially as the positive resource) and all the fired up rhetoric he uses to get callers to participate.

He's done quite well for himelf...the kid who was always talking in class...the auditory student who could quote every line of "The Little Mermaid" when he was in the 10th grade.

So the next time a student is talking out, or doodling in their notebook, or fidgeting in class - consider that they may be the next budding radio personality, the next cartoonist or architect, or the next Michael Phelps. Seeing them in that light may help us cope with their actions while giving us the tools to inspire them to be what meshes with their strengths!

And remember to be kind to your students. They may have their own radio show some day!!

PS...I'm in luck! He liked me and actually spoke about me on the radio one day when asked who his all time favorite teacher was! Whew!