Lecture Notes on Confidence and Education

Introduction

• Personal story about a significant book from childhood
• The book featured Septima Clark, an activist and educator
• Importance of confidence as a vital skill

The Role of Confidence

• Confidence is often underestimated
• More knowledge and resources do not equate to progress if confidence is lacking
• Confidence is critical for taking action and persistence in the face of failure

Vision for Education

• Aspiration to create a "Willy Wonka world" of imagination in the classroom
• Focus on building confidence in students who are often marginalized
• Importance of academic skills paired with the confidence to effect change

Student Examples

Jamal

• Jamal: Brilliant but unfocused, struggled with writing
• Teacher's approach: Allowed flexibility in where he worked
• Key moment: Jamal read a stump speech for John McCain, gaining confidence and receiving applause

Regina

• Regina: Also brilliant but disruptive, distracting others in class
• Teacher's mistake: Chose control over championing her, causing a loss of confidence
• Reflection on the impact of teacher's responses on student confidence

The Consequences of Lack of Confidence

• Lack of confidence weighs individuals down, preventing progress
• Society rewards confidence in some while punishing it in others
• Many people walk through life without confidence, risking unrealized potential

Building Confidence

Three Essential Elements:

1. Permission
   • Confidence needs permission to exist
   • Personal anecdote about witnessing a confident mother during car negotiations
2. Community
   • Community provides a supportive environment for building confidence
   • Example: Young women in Kenya (Team Lioness) finding strength in sisterhood
3. Curiosity
   • Curiosity encourages self-directed learning and confidence affirmation
   • Experience of learning from mistakes rather than critiquing failures

Conclusion

• Emphasizing the need for permission, community, and curiosity to foster confidence
• Vision for a world without inequity, where confidence is accepted in all forms
• Empowerment to build a future through collective confidence
• Encouragement to take action for change

Closing Remarks

• Affirmation of confidence in the possibility of a better future
• Call to action for collective effort in achieving goals
• Thanks and applause from the audience.