I am unstoppable.<\/strong><\/p>\nThat statement has power.\u00a0 Even just uttering the words makes me feel courageous, ready to take something head-on and tackle it with everything I’ve got.\u00a0 It’s passion and bravery and strength and endurance–everything we want to be.<\/p>\n
So something this powerful should probably be taught in a classroom, right?<\/p>\n
And it is–sort of.\u00a0 I’m proposing a question regarding this statement that may be hard to stomach, but needs an answer:<\/p>\n
Do we limit girls?<\/strong><\/p>\nDo we tell girls they’re not unstoppable?\u00a0 To not go after things?\u00a0 Watch this video to hear the powerful reality.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=VhB3l1gCz2E<\/p>\n
Now tell me:\u00a0Do we limit girls?<\/strong><\/p>\nIf the answer is yes, then we need to change–not just for the sake of gender equity, but for the sake of our students, our daughters, our friends.\u00a0 We want empowered citizens, and that starts in the classroom.<\/p>\n
It may seem overwhelming at first, but awareness is the first step in encouraging our girls to be bold and persistent, especially in the field of science.\u00a0 Here are just a couple tips:<\/p>\n
\n- Give girls leadership roles as often as boys.<\/strong> Whether it be leading a group project, leading a presentation, or leading a lab activity, make sure girls and boys get to be leaders equally.\u00a0 The goal isn’t to get girls into MORE leadership than boys; it’s to make all our students feel like they have no limitations.<\/li>\n
- Encourage nontraditional careers for girls and boys.<\/strong>\u00a0 Jessica wants to work for NASA?\u00a0 Go for it.\u00a0 Benjamin wants to be an early childhood educator?\u00a0 Go for it.\u00a0 Just because society says something is a “girls” job or “boys” job doesn’t mean we should perpetuate that stigma.\u00a0 Encourage students to pursue whatever it is they’re passionate about.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sucKTktHYA8<\/p>\n
https:\/\/twitter.com\/jnevlearningdev\/status\/931582993654865920<\/p>\n
\n- Encourage girls to take upper-level math and science classes.\u00a0 Encourage boys to take upper-level English and history classes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Often, we tell girls that they aren’t as good at math and science, and tell boys they aren’t good at writing.\u00a0 But we should really be encouraging students wherever we see even an inkling of potential, which\u00a0 means if Samuel wants to write poetry, he absolutely should.\u00a0 Breaking gender stereotypes in classes is what will allow us to break gender stereotypes in the workforce.<\/li>\n
- Have zero tolerance for teasing.<\/strong>\u00a0 If you hear anyone making fun of a girl or a boy for a decision they made regarding their class choice or extracurricular choice, stop it as soon as possible.\u00a0 Make the classroom a place where students can explore their interests freely, with no criticisms based on what society determines as “girls” and “boys” interests.\u00a0 Which means letting Mike try ballet and letting Brittany play fantasy football.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.miamioh.edu\/edt431-531\/files\/2017\/11\/unstoppable-1024x279.png?resize=640%2C174\")
<\/p>\n