Educators share what they’ve learned from students

We asked educators at the 2024 WIDA Annual Conference what they've learned from students. Educators shared their stories and revelations. We found them really inspiring. Watch the videos or read on to soak up what they had to say.

Part One

Part Two

I remember about seventeen years ago, we had a student from Peru. I was a high school teacher. After a year and a half in the United States, she scored higher on the ACT than I had as a native English speaker. It just really illustrates to me that our students can do anything. She wasn’t yet proficient in English, but she was very intelligent. She worked really hard and was able to get an amazing score on that test.

You need to ask your students about themselves to grow as an educator. I’ve learned that they come with knowledge already. I don’t need to assume anything. I need to ask them what they want.

I remember we made a video with some of our newcomer students who had graduated high school. One of the students had come from Iran. She said at first, she couldn’t say anything and that everyone thought she was shy. She said she wanted everyone to know she wasn’t shy, but that she just didn’t know the language yet. It made me wonder how often do we attribute personality and characteristics or think this student cannot do this task yet, when it’s really language-based. And that one moment years ago led me to try to open educators’ eyes to the fact that so many of our students are effervescent, bubbly, outgoing students who just need the language. Maybe they’re very skilled and have great insight and knowledge, or are ready to learn and develop their content knowledge. Students just can’t show it to you in English yet. Find different ways to try to help students show you what they know.

I’ve learned from multiple students that the relationship piece is key to success. I take pride in listening to them and understanding their needs. I use that to build a positive relationship to be successful in the classroom.

I am a learner. Students teach me a lot of things. Students bring so much to the classroom individually. As a class, I do learn from them. I am finding that I am a learner and not only a teacher. I learn from students.

I think one of the best things I’ve seen from my own students is the level of patience and grace you can give yourself as a human being. I feel like in my own personal experience as an English learner, I was very task-oriented and very goal-oriented. I was constantly rushing. I feel like I didn’t give myself enough mindfulness to take care of myself in the whole process. I have seen so many students being really intentional about understanding and bringing in that self-curriculum. Students say, “I need a break now.” They give themselves that grace and are able to take care of themselves in the process, so they can achieve the goals they want to achieve long-term.

Sometimes it’s okay to take it slow. It’s really easy to get overwhelmed with the fast-paced environment. Making sure everything on your to-do list is done. It’s really important to slow down. Taking relationships first. Take it slow.

I have learned that most of the students who misbehave or are not engaged in class are looking for attention. Most of them want you to talk to them one-on-one. I pull them outside, and I talk to them. Sometimes I even call them at home and engage with their parents and their family. I get to reach them on a personal level. It tells me that every student is an individual. We have to give them that special attention, which allows them to grow and express themselves outside and inside the classroom.

I have this one kindergartener in mind. She’s very limited in her English. She can draw. She loves to illustrate. She has a very good pencil grip. She can draw beautiful pictures. I learned that you just take whatever you’re good at and go with it. Also, you don’t look at what you don’t have. You’re looking at your assets. What you’re able to bring, and you just do it with joy. And that’s her. She takes that pencil and draws with such joy. She can’t give me the whole conversation in English yet, but she can draw the best pictures.

The power of being resilient. No matter how hard it is to learn a different language and, at the same time, learn a different culture, students are able to step out of their comfort zone and thrive.

We can all find our own way. It’s not always going to look the same for each of us. But there is a way for all of us to succeed as long as we’re willing to be flexible. If we’re willing to change what it looks like for each of us.

I had the opportunity to work with an ML [multilingual learner] student who is a newcomer. I was working with her during her math period. I realized that my ML student, even though she doesn’t know English yet, she’s very proficient in math. What I learned from that experience is that our multilingual learners are very smart. All we need to do as ML teachers is provide scaffolding so that they can access information in the classroom. Students can have access to the content of the classroom. ML teachers are actually bridges, so that we can provide that connection for students so they can be successful in their learning.

What haven’t you learned from our kids? I think the most impactful thing was my students’ new excitement to learn. It’s a new passion. My kids come in every day just fired up to learn. My student’s excitement transferred to me. I really learned how to get even more excited to learn.

There are many things I’m learning from students. Being a multilingual and [a] previous EL student. A lot of my students remind me of the struggles that I went through when I first came to the United States. If I’m having a hard day, I think about this one particular student. I see her and she’s not giving up. She’s working really hard. She just got here. She’s reading at grade level. It’s motivating because I know she has a bright future. She has great things in store for her.

Thank you to all the educators who provided their perspective. Keep an eye out for the Conversations with Educators station at the 2025 WIDA Annual Conference!