In chapter one of “Fires in the Bathroom” author Kathleen Cushman warns the reader about how students know more than we might expect. In this particular instance she is explaining that our students know if we as teachers are “condescending” towards them right away. She also warns about the kind of repercussions it might have on the particular student saying they could respond in a number of different ways such as “defiance to embarrassment”.
This section jumped out at me initially in the form of “I told you so.” I have coached for five years with my mother who talks to our cheerleaders, who range from eight to fourteen years old, like they are toddlers. I know the girls find this frustrating as well as I do. Learned through coaching, working at a preschool for years, and just as being the oldest of three siblings that children, of whatever age, know more than you expect. When I read this passage it was just confirming something that I have believed for years.
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