Share Power

Sharing Power is treating youth with respect and giving youth a say.

Sharing Power is treating youth with respect and giving youth a say. Educators have more implicit power than students: they determine curriculum, set expectations, and often give out some assessments. Becoming aware of this is the first step to make classrooms more equitable.

Sharing Power also includes giving students opportunities to lead (e.g., peer teaching, leading discussions) and voice their concerns (e.g., feedback systems). The following actions can Share Power, along with the activities below. Click here to download this page as a PDF.

Respect the autonomy of students.

Students are not passive receivers of ideas; they have their own experiences and funds of knowledge that shape math learning. The differences they bring (whether in race/ethnicity, gender, ability, or other identities) also shape their learning process. Sharing Power, then, starts with mutual respect as educators and learners co-create the learning experience. Here are some ways to respect students:

- Treat your students fairly.
- Consider the ideas of your students when making decisions.
- Tailor instruction to respect how far students want to go in math.

Include your students in the learning process.

If a student’s autonomy is their ability to freely participate in the learning process, a student’s voice is their ability to speak into and influence their math learning. Here are some ways to uplift student voice:

- Cultivate a learning environment where students can voice their ideas. For example, build in communication channels for students to share honest feedback.
- When students voice opinions, let them know they’re heard. Even if concrete action isn’t feasible, you can explain why a change isn’t possible and offer other options to address their concern.
- Create opportunities for students to direct the learning content. For example, offer leadership positions for students to pursue learning goals they’re most passionate about.

Collaborate with your students.

The Latin root of “collaborate” means “to labor together.” Collaborating is a way of sharing power because both tutor and student learn from one another. Here are some ways you can collaborate with your students:

- Develop feedback systems where youth can comfortably voice suggestions, and dialogue with students' ideas and opinions, even if you disagree.
- Break out of the traditional hierarchies by inviting students to teach you and each other.
- Model collaborative behaviors by, for example, asking for help from colleagues and working together to support students.

Let your students lead their learning.

Make room for students to speak into—and influence—their own learning experience. Creating opportunities where students can “drive” the tutoring content helps reinforce that students have the means of pursuing their own education. Here are some ways you can help students lead their learning:

- Let students design and lead a math-related field trip or choose guest speakers they’d like to listen to (for more, see Role Modeling)
- Invite input on which types of problems students want to cover in a tutoring session.
- Invite students to set and track their own learning goals

How do you ensure your students can be heard by you and the program?

In what ways do you see your students as leaders in this program?

Activities that Share Power

Here are specific activities you can use to Share Power in your learning context:

Count to 99 by 3
Group Activity | 20 minutes

Cycles of Growth
One-on-One Activity | 10 minutes

Challenge by Choice
One-on-One Activity, Group Activity | 15 minutes

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Count to 99 by 3Group Activity | 20 minutes

Cycles of GrowthOne-on-One Activity | 10 minutes

Challenge by ChoiceOne-on-One Activity, Group Activity | 15 minutes

Count to 99 by 3
Group Activity | 20 minutes

Cycles of Growth
One-on-One Activity | 10 minutes

Challenge by Choice
One-on-One Activity, Group Activity | 15 minutes