Understanding the Student Perspective in Education

Perspective can turn the same event into two completely different stories. A friend recently told me about a debate at their institution over why a handful of students left a program. Her stance was simple: it was the students’ choice. But when I asked about the exit surveys and withdrawal reasons, the story looked different. The students talked about new program mandates that made them leave. Specifically, the school had added strict attendance requirements; students now had to come to campus one night a week or join a Zoom session with their camera on. No calling in from the car, no flexibility, just a set definition of what “being engaged” looked like. I asked what prompted the change. Was it accreditation? A compliance issue? Some external mandate? No. Faculty felt students weren’t taking the program seriously enough, so they decided to tighten the rules. Here’s where perspective matters. If you’re in leadership, you might call this “students choosing to leave.” But from my view, these students didn’t choose to leave. They signed up for one program, and the rules changed midstream. They didn't open the exit door themselves. It was opened for them with the mandate of "fall in line or get out". And I will never see that as a choice... If we want to keep students, we have to be honest about whether our decisions are pulling them in or pushing them out.

I had a student who was disruptive, disengaged, and constantly challenging authority. Every lesson was a battle. Every interaction was strained. One day, I changed tactics. Instead of reprimanding, I asked him a simple question: "What's the most important thing happening in your life right now?" His answer floored me. He wasn’t struggling with my subject—he was struggling with life. Home was chaotic. Support was minimal. The weight of the world sat on his shoulders. That moment changed everything. Because when we listen to someone’s story, we stop seeing them as a problem and start seeing them as a person. This is why storytelling is the most powerful tool we have for building empathy in education. When students read diverse narratives, they develop perspective-taking skills. When they watch real-life documentaries, their brains fire as if they are experiencing the emotions themselves. When they share their own experiences, they build emotional intelligence and social connection. But here’s the challenge: Are we using storytelling intentionally in our classrooms? In my latest article, inspired by The International Classroom Podcast episode with Ed Kirwan, I explore how storytelling can be a structured, research-backed method for developing empathy in students. Neuroscience shows that mirror neurons activate when we hear a powerful story. Research proves that literary fiction enhances Theory of Mind—the ability to understand others' emotions. Digital storytelling and film help students engage with perspectives far beyond their own lived experience. If we embed storytelling into education with intention, we don’t just teach content—we shape more compassionate, understanding humans. Read the full article below. #Education #Empathy #Storytelling #EdTech #SocialEmotionalLearning #Teaching

One of the big pieces we need to understand—and I think it’s one of the gaps higher education has—is knowing who is in our classrooms, why they are selecting us, and what they truly need. Too often, institutions fool themselves into believing the answers they want to hear. We want to think students choose us because of a strong program or a special offering we’re proud of. The reality is often more practical. For example, when I taught non-major chemistry courses, I hoped students would select the course because of its value or my teaching. But, in reality, many students chose it because it fit their schedules or fulfilled a requirement. Using data to better understand students’ motivations and needs helps institutions provide what truly benefits them. Data allows universities to make smarter decisions about tuition models, recruitment strategies, and program offerings. By identifying the real audience—who they are, where they are, and what they need—we can align offerings with demand and deliver better outcomes. This approach also helps institutions become more efficient. It ensures the focus is on students likely to thrive and succeed within the environment. It can also guide better cost and resource management by tailoring efforts to the students most likely to benefit from the institution's offerings. For higher education to truly meet modern challenges, adopting a data-driven mindset is no longer optional. It’s essential.

What if we designed assessments not just to test what students know—but to honor who they are? This week, I had the privilege of guiding future K–8 educators through the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework by inviting them to be the learner. Through station-based activities, we explored how to: • Craft Essential Questions that spark inquiry and reflection • Use the GRASPS model to design authentic performance tasks • Evaluate tasks for cultural relevance and real-world connection • Step into student roles to experience learning as an act of identity and engagement When we center students’ lives, voices, and creativity in how we assess learning, we shift from compliance to empowerment. This isn’t just curriculum planning. It’s vision work. It’s liberation work. Grateful to be building with educators who understand that how we assess is just as important as what we teach. #UbD #AuthenticAssessment #SocialStudiesMatters #CulturallyResponsivePedagogy #K8Education #StudentEngagement #InstructionalDesign #education4liberation

Context matters. When evaluating program impact, it’s easy to jump to conclusions based on early data or anecdotes. But education—especially when working with students from varied backgrounds—is complex. As I shared with a client recently, student outcomes at a community college are shaped by a multitude of factors: • Personal characteristics and family responsibilities • Socio-psychological pressures • Housing or food insecurity • Work schedules and caregiving roles No single program can solve all of these challenges. That’s why evaluation must be context-sensitive. It’s not just about if a program works—but how, for whom, and under what conditions or circumstances. (Realist evaluation 💡) We’re now exploring a pilot study model to help isolate variables and better understand both the short and long-term impact of student success interventions like embedded tutoring and proactive coaching. Caseload sizes, coach training, and holistic student needs all matter in delivering the right support at the right time. Let’s resist the urge to over-simplify. The students—and the data—deserve better.

This past weekend, I peeled some fresh corn and found one ear with odd-shaped, varied kernels, unlike the uniform ones on the other ears. Initially, it seemed odd and unappealing compared to its counterparts. Honestly, I was tempted to toss it out at first. Yet I found myself so struck by this ear of corn, as I realized how my experience mirrored a frequent tendency to evaluate students based on superficial assessments & rubrics, rather than appreciating their unique potential. Stop & really think about how often students are judged based on standardized metrics, missing their unique talents and strengths. I'm such a believer that each student, like each kernel, has distinct qualities that don’t always fit conventional molds yet are incredibly valuable. In the right educational setting, students will thrive and develop their strengths, much like cooking transforms raw ingredients into something delicious! By providing a nurturing environment, we help students blossom into their full potential. I am always hopeful at the onset of the new admissions cycle & the new school year, that schools (both private & public) will take the time to understand each student's unique qualities, beyond what's just on paper. By doing so, we honor their individuality and set them on a path to realize their true potential. As educators and parents, it's imperative that we support students holistically & recognize each student's individuality. ⬇ Let this odd-looking ear of corn serve as a powerful reminder that beauty and potential often lie beneath the surface. By embracing the diversity and uniqueness of each student, we can create educational environments where everyone has the opportunity to flourish. Just like cooking brings out wonderful flavors in food, the right educational setting will bring out the best in a student!