We want to share a powerful insight from Brian D. Biro’s inspiring book, “Beyond Success,” that beautifully reflects the ethos our teachers embody in their approach to education.
Brian writes about the transformative power of teacher expectations, a phenomenon supported by numerous studies over the years, known as the Pygmalion effect. This concept came to light through the work of Harvard researcher Robert Rosenthal, who conducted a fascinating experiment. He visited various classrooms, telling teachers he had administered a test to identify students with exceptional academic potential. However, the truth was quite different—the test was not what it seemed. In fact, the students he pointed out as particularly gifted were chosen at random.
Despite this, something remarkable happened. By the end of the school year, nearly all the randomly selected students had shown significant improvements in their IQ scores and academic grades. The secret? It was all about the teachers’ beliefs. Informed that these students were extraordinarily talented, the teachers’ expectations rose, and they interacted with these students as if they were indeed something special.
This story underlines a crucial message from Robert Rosenthal to educators everywhere: Treat all students as if they are exceptionally talented. At WFA Online High School, we take this to heart. Our dedicated teachers see the unique potential in every student, fostering an environment where all can thrive and excel. By believing in every student’s capabilities, we aim to not only educate but inspire and empower our students to reach heights they might never have imagined.
We believe in every student’s greatness, and every day, we commit to helping them unlock it.Â
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