Let Students Choose Their Heroes or A Tale of Two teachers
When a child finds a historical figure who sparks their imagination, it’s a moment worth celebrating. But as two recent news stories highlight, not all educators react the same way when a student steps outside the standard curriculum.
In recent years, two young students independently chose to focus their school projects on Bessie Coleman, the pioneering aviator and the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license. How their respective teachers responded to these requests offers a masterclass in contrasting educational approaches.
On one hand, we have the story of a second-grade student who was initially assigned Amelia Earhart for a school “wax museum” exhibit. Recognizing a different historical figure she found significant, the 8-year-old asked her teacher if she could report on Bessie Coleman instead. Her teacher’s response? She applauded the student’s initiative and fully supported the change.
Contrast this with the frustrating experience of a third-grade student who chose Bessie Coleman for her own school project on heroes. Instead of encouraging her curiosity, the teacher vetoed the choice, reportedly dismissing the idea that Coleman qualified as a hero. Fortunately, the student’s mother stepped in and arranged for her to give her presentation at the FAA headquarters, ensuring her hard work and passion were recognized.
The Takeaway: Teachers Should Guide, Not Gatekeep
These two incidents perfectly illustrate a fundamental truth about education: it is not a teacher’s job to dictate who a student finds inspirational.
When a teacher imposes their own point of view or limits a student’s choices to familiar, “safe” historical figures, they inadvertently shut down a child’s intrinsic motivation to learn. The vetoing teacher missed an opportunity to empower a young student, while the supportive teacher recognized that students often have unique perspectives that are worth exploring.
Educators must remain open to learning from their students. When a child brings a lesser-known trailblazer like Bessie Coleman to the table, it’s a chance to enrich the entire classroom’s understanding of history. By encouraging self-directed curiosity, teachers help students build a personal connection to their education—a connection that lasts far longer than any standardized lesson plan.
The best classrooms are collaborative environments where a student’s voice is heard, respected, and championed.
Looking for more inspiring women?
Check this out: History Making Women
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