Sharon Cronk-Raby - Transitioning WHAT I Teach into WHO I Teach

As educators, we often specialize and become known by those specialties, sometimes temporarily sidelining the ultimate goal: working with people to understand curriculum. Remembering that, people should come first. This presentation concentrates on my study exploring student perceptions of writing anxiety. Two research questions were designed in a qualitative narrative inquiry using semi-structured interviews, with two theoretical foundations – Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Piaget’s schema development. Four themes emerged in response to student perceptions of causes of writing anxiety: feeling unprepared, fearing judgment, prioritizing competing interests, and worrying throughout the long and iterative nature of the writing process. Three themes emerged in response to student perceptions of strategies to reduce writing anxiety: having a trusted ally, reaching self-realization, and maintaining momentum. As educators, we must understand that when students walk into classrooms, they arrive with prior influences, which educators join as an influence in students’ academic, professional, and personal pursuits.

Unleash your students' potential by understanding the surprising connection between writing anxiety and mental health. This presentation, "Putting People First," shares key findings from a qualitative study with college students, revealing how factors like the fear of judgment and feeling unprepared contribute to a cycle of stress and anxiety. Discover three evidence-based strategies to break this cycle: fostering a trusted ally relationship, guiding students toward self-realization, and building positive momentum.
Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Piaget’s schema development, this session will show you how to identify and address the external and internal influences that impact your students' emotional well-being and academic success. Join us to learn how putting people and their mental health first can transform a classroom, empowering students to thrive both academically and personally.