Inspiring Hope in Students

I have led a creative camp every summer for the past four years. When I speak to the hundreds of middle school students, I ask them a question: what is one thing you would change about your school?

Some of their answers are comical, but if I had to summarize the most common response over those four years, the number one thing these students would change is the behaviour of other students.

What students say

“I wish [that student] didn’t skip class.” (yes, in middle school)
“I wish [that student] didn’t talk to the teacher like that.”
“I wish [that student] stopped bullying other kids.”

The summer camp was a light, creative, fun environment, yet most of these students took the time to reflect not on something arbitrary like longer recesses, but something that would be truly transformative not just for themselves, but for the other students in their schools.

What would you change?

I always feel hopeful after listening to kids’ responses. They are dealing with so much at that age. But I urge parents: if you want to understand your child’s experience outside of their time with you, ask them what they would change in that environment. And when they respond, you’ll learn something about them, maybe even something surprising.

But here’s the important part: when they tell you what they would change, it’s important to let them know that change is possible. To help them, you need to shift from listening to an action plan, even if that action plan is somewhat performative.

I love the looks on the students’ faces when I tell them that it only takes 25 signatures for a petition to be considered by the House of Commons (though I phrase it differently for them).

Actions empower

Kids often think change is some distant thing, but if you get them to write a letter, to organize a group, to research, these actions empower them even if the change never happens. I’ve done this for years. The potential for change is enough to stir hope, and if things don’t work out, they learn resilience and persistence. It’s a win either way.

Our children are special beings. They deserve to feel seen, to feel heard, and to feel like they live in a world where hope is a tangible thing.