Reframing Failure: How One Bronx Teacher Builds Student Agency and Confidence
Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Toni Rose Deanon is joined by Ernest Rodriguez, a high school teacher from the Bronx, to discuss learned helplessness in the classroom.
Ernest, who transitioned from psychology to education, shared his journey implementing modern classrooms and how it addressed the learned helplessness he observed in students accustomed to passively receiving grades. In their conversation, they emphasize the importance of reframing failure as "you're still figuring this out," and providing options for revision and mastery checks, including "spice levels" to cater to different learning needs.
Here are three key takeaways from this podcast episode:
Learned helplessness, stemming from repeated negative experiences, can lead to disengagement and low motivation in students. Ernest adds, "I define learned helplessness in my classroom as students receiving the answers to something without putting in the work."
Reframing failure, providing options for learning and assessment, and fostering a collaborative learning environment can combat learned helplessness. Ernest highlighted the power of community in learning, using peer "tour guides" to support struggling students and states, “Practice makes progress, not perfect."
Implementing Modern Classroom strategies, like progress trackers and self-paced learning, can empower students and improve their sense of control over their learning. Ernest’s second year of implementation involved making "should do's and aspire to do's a little bit more fun" and seeing improved student engagement and data.
Discussion questions for PLC and PD:
How have you observed learned helplessness manifest in your own classroom, and what systemic factors within education might contribute to this phenomenon?
The summary highlights the importance of reframing failure and providing options. What are some practical strategies you can implement or adapt from Ernest's experience to encourage a growth mindset and increase student agency in the revision process?
Considering Ernest's hope for the future of education, what small, manageable elements of the Modern Classroom model (like progress trackers or varied mastery checks) could you realistically incorporate into your teaching practice to foster student ownership and a deeper understanding of their learning journey?
Our Host
Toni Rose taught MS English for 10 years and will forever identify as a teacher. Toni Rose strives to be the teacher that they never had growing up, so they focus on anti-bias, anti-racist work and wants to create a brave space for everyone around them. As a queer Filipinx, they understand just how important it is to be represented, be valued, and belong. They especially love being a thought partner for and celebrating teachers.
Our Guests
Ernest Rodriguez
Ernest is a high school teacher born and raised in the Bronx, looking to catch up the current education system with our current technological discoveries.
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