How to help children feel relevant within their school communities

Percy L. Abram, PhD explains how to help children feel more confident and valued within their school community
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How to help children feel relevant within their school communities

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I think we can help children feel relevant in a school community if there are caring adults in that school community that help them understand that they want what's best for them. I grew up in the early to mid '80s when the self-esteem movement was the most important movement in schools. And what we were telling kids at the time was that it was important to be great. It was important to be unique. And it was important to be special. That did not do anything to support kids' emotional development. What kids need to know is that they are valued and they are going to be heard. And that the adults in the community and that the students who support them honestly care for and will listen to them and what they are bringing to class every day.

Percy L. Abram, PhD explains how to help children feel more confident and valued within their school community

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Percy L. Abram, PhD

Head of School

Percy Abram is the Head of Gateway School.  Gateway School is a Kindergarten – 8th grade independent school in Santa Cruz, CA.  Prior to joining Gateway School, Dr. Abram was the Upper Division Director at Brentwood School in Los Angeles.  An LA native, Dr. Abram received his B.A. (Economics) and M.A. (Education) degrees from UCLA, and his M.A. (Sociology) and Ph.D. (Education) from Stanford University.  Dr. Abram and his wife are the parents of a 10-year old daughter and 7-year old son, and despite running a school and being responsible for 260 students each day, he still finds parenting his most challenging job.

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Transcription: 
I think we can help children feel relevant in a school community if there are caring adults in that school community that help them understand that they want what's best for them. I grew up in the early to mid '80s when the self-esteem movement was the most important movement in schools. And what we were telling kids at the time was that it was important to be great. It was important to be unique. And it was important to be special. That did not do anything to support kids' emotional development. What kids need to know is that they are valued and they are going to be heard. And that the adults in the community and that the students who support them honestly care for and will listen to them and what they are bringing to class every day.