Learning Difference, Not Deficient
Strength-Based Education, Learning Differences Approach, & Empowering Student Strengths
Deficiency Model
Over-focus on the "wrong"
Fixing weakness is foundation to success
Heavy focus on labels
Stereotyping of students based on labels
Weakness is the source of all difference
Focus on shame
Differences Model
A student is a whole child
All children have strengths and weaknesses
Any label only goes so far
It may describe some of the differences
It does not explain how those differences impact the student
Focus on respect and self-worth
A Strength Based Approach
There are many ways of being and many strengths that may help a child in their educational journey
By emphasizing strengths first, you can honor the differences rather than shaming them
Differences, not deficiencies, is where learning occurs
A student that feels shame for deficiencies, stumbles or is scared to try
A student that recognizes their differences as strengths, rises to the challenge and uses their strengths to accomplish goals
Start with what the student knows and is confident in, use that strength to empower them to work toward goals
