Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, “They don’t pay me to like the kids.” Her response: “Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.'” This TED Talk is a rousing call to educators to believe in their students; to actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level. Connection: the most important and valuable component of any successful communication.
As you watch this video, consider:
- What makes Rita likeable from her first words?
- What do you notice about her eye contact?
- How does she use humor to illustrate her points?
Share what you learned that can make a difference the next time you step up to speak.