I Believe You

…instances where an adult saying “I believe you” would have changed their lives. Imagine the difference across race, across class, across gender if we would say “I believe you” to one another instead of “really?” or “well, actually . . .” It is no small thing we do when we structure our classrooms around respect and empowerment — our words can make all the difference in the world.

 

As a teacher, I commit to using language with my students that will create a trust and allow students to see me as a safe place. Using the statement “I believe you” for small issues in the classroom gives students the opportunity to feel safe and understood if they have bigger issues at home. When a teacher responds to a student’s concerns with “I believe you” and then gives a opening to discuss a solution students feel accepted and gain the skill to talk issues out with their peers. People sometimes use other statements on students that try to make the student see things differently. The problem is these statements do not have the safe effect on students, they make students believe that the teacher only believes you if they agree with you. In these statements student’s declarations are questioned leading them to assume they will not be believed in the future. I commit to using the statement “I believe you” whenever a student comes to me with a problem they are having.

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