One Educator Shares How Students Make Him Better
Be There For Them
The “stand and deliver” method has been the standard for education for decades but it is no longer accurate for learners in Andrew Corrao‘s student inspired classroom at Northeast High School in Kansas City, Missouri.
Northeast High School is an urban school that has more than its share of adversity to overcome. “We talk a lot about being urban and the challenges that come with being urban,” said Andrew.
Growing up an only child of a single mom, Andrew counts his blessings every day for what he had growing up and what his children have now. It also helps him feel “student inspired” – where his students bring him joy and are actively involved in classroom activities and culture. It is a gift for him and an opportunity for them.
“All teachers say this – but my students are the reason I wake up and come to school. They inspire me every day. They inspire me every day. I don’t think they really understand how much they inspire me, so I work hard to teach them to be proud of their accomplishments.”
Andrew Corrao
“It makes me that much more passionate to help these kids find a way out of the cycle they’ve been in. I see them in me and me in them,” he shared. Corrao is not alone. Most teachers identify students as a main source of joy and satisfaction in their work and the majority of teachers state student outcomes as their main source of inspiration in their work.
Inspiring Those That are Student Inspired
We met Andrew years ago. A natural fit, Corrao immediately engaged with our hands-on learning activities and classroom resources. He has found that activities like PIT with Name Cards, Human Treasure Hunt, and others are key to his students’ engagement. And crafting this kind of engaging classroom environment starts with planning with the resources found on Empowered Hub.
“I find myself the most prepared after visiting the Hub in the morning,” said Andrew. “The Hub is a great tool in my tool belt for curve balls that might come my way during the day or for ways to energize a class that just needs a boost.”
The structure that Empowered’s learning materials provides give him the building blocks for strong connections with his students.
“Mindset is key,” he said. “The curriculum allows us to talk about things that are relevant in their lives. They don’t even realize they’re learning.”
Confidence is one of the major outcomes of this approach.
“My students really struggle with this,” said Andrew. “As an urban school, they often feel ’less than’ other students in the district.”
Andrew doesn’t let that kind of thinking take hold in his classroom.
Preparing Students for Success in Life
“I tell them that they deserve this,” said Andrew, and the businesses they are designing through Empowered are about legacy. “I want to them to think not just about today, but how they want people to remember them in the future.”
Another focus that Empowered gives his students are soft skills that lead to life skills.
“If kids are good with soft skills, they will be successful,” said Andrew. “I share these basic Empowered concepts with other teachers because these kinds of tools lead to strong social-emotional learning no matter what subject.”
Now that his students have gained the confidence and solid soft skills required for success, the next goal is clear. “I want them to actually take what they have learned and create a real business,” said Andrew.
Armed with the values and principles, there is no stopping the students at Northeast High School. Andrew encourages educators new to Empowered to not be afraid of the process. “Just find something that looks like fun and jump in,” said Andrew. “Focus on the relationships you will make with your students and do it!”
Useful Links
- Click here to learn more about and to join the Empowered Community
- Click here to create your free Empowered Hub Account
- Click here share how your students inspire you on Teacher Talk inside Empowered Hub
