Why Your Child's Voice Matters in our Classrooms

As we wrap up another wonderful year, I’m reflecting on a powerful lesson I continue to learn—not just from my mentors and colleagues, but from your children themselves. This year, our classroom truly blossomed as a space where student ideas were not only welcomed but also celebrated. I’d like to share why honoring these ideas is so important, and how it helps your child grow as a learner and as a person.

I was reminded of Maya Angelou’s famous words in Reverent Whitmore’s lesson in chapel: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

This quote is often referenced in Charlotte Danielson’s teacher trainings and speaks to the heart of education. When I think back to my own school days, I don’t always remember the details of each lesson. What I do remember is how certain teachers made me feel—welcomed, valued, and excited to learn, even in subjects that were challenging or unfamiliar.

This year, I set out with a well-paced plan and many great ideas. But what truly brought our learning to life was letting go of the reins and letting students take the lead. When I presented ideas, your children listened politely, but their eyes sparkled when they had a chance to try their own. So, I encouraged them to share their thinking—and was amazed by what happened next:

• Assembly Sharing: The students decided to teach the audience the 7 continents song, wanting everyone to participate rather than just sit and listen.
• Celebration of Learning: They chose how to present their projects, creating games for families to play and even designing prizes for your efforts!
• Ongoing Projects: Even as the year winds down, students are eager to write and create props for readers' theater, knowing exactly what they want to make.

Current research strongly supports what we see in our classroom every day: when students have ownership over their learning, their engagement and motivation soar.

• Increased Engagement: According to a study in Educational Psychology (Fredricks, Blumenfeld, & Paris, 2004), students who have choices and input in their learning are more actively engaged and invested in their work.
• Deeper Learning: Research from the Harvard Graduate School of Education shows that when students are given opportunities to make decisions about their projects and how they demonstrate learning, they retain knowledge longer and develop critical thinking skills (Toshalis & Nakkula, 2012).
• Sense of Belonging: Honoring student voice creates a sense of belonging and self-worth, which is especially important for young children (Deci & Ryan, 2000).

“When students are given agency and their ideas are honored, they are more likely to take risks, persevere through challenges, and develop a lifelong love of learning.” — Toshalis & Nakkula, 2012

When your child comes home excited about a project, a song, or a game they helped create, know that they are not just “doing schoolwork.” They are building confidence, practicing leadership, and learning to value their own voice. These are skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

As their teacher, I am continually inspired by what happens when we trust students to show us what they’re capable of. I loved watching your children shine as creators, collaborators, and leaders. Thank you for supporting your child’s ideas and for celebrating their creativity with us. I can’t wait to see what they will dream up next!