4 Ways to Honor Introverted Students in Your Classroom

Teachers face a great challenge in honoring and encouraging each individual in a diverse classroom of students. Understanding that some people are introverted, extroverted, or are somewhere in the middle, can be a helpful lens in providing effective instruction and helpful school structures. Here are four suggestions on how to honor introverts in your classroom:

1. Understand Introversion vs. Shyness
Author Susan Cain has greatly advanced the cause for introverts with the publication of her book, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.” She honors the gifts of the contemplative, the quiet, and those who re-charge in low-key environments (introverts). In her book, she also points out that introversion and shyness, while sometimes found together, are not the same: “Shyness is the fear of social disapproval or humiliation, while introversion is a preference for environments that are not overstimulating. Shyness is inherently painful; introversion is not.”

Both introverts and extroverts (who recharge in social situations) can experience shyness at times. If a student prefers to work alone or in a quiet space, it does not mean that they are shy. A student who often feels shy may work best alone or with others, or it may vary day to day.

2. Let Go of Strict Social Norms
Try not to assume that children who are quieter in group or social settings are troubled or are less involved. Some introverted students process inwardly rather than out loud and may prefer to talk one-on-one or in quieter settings. They may have fewer friends but be very attached to each friend. It’s helpful to your students if you try to keep an open mind about how they socialize and choose to use their voice and free time and not jump to conclusions or try to force them to change. As you develop an open mind about who your students are and how they behave socially, take some time to reflect on your own personal level of introversion and extroversion and how this has molded you as a person and teacher.

3. Give Students Time and Flexibility
Because your students are all different, they need a variety of learning activities and challenges. Provide opportunities for group work, individual work, work in pairs, movement, and quiet reflection. Give students opportunities to respond to questions in speech, writing, or even with drawings, music, or movement at times. One popular method that calls for some interaction but not intense interactive group work is called “Think, Pair, Share.” In this method, students are given a partner to answer a question or respond to a prompt with. They share their thoughts with their partner and then with the group as a whole. Only one member of the pair may choose to speak, or they can both explain what their partner’s response was.

NEA Today shares this suggestion on engaging introverts:

Another idea is to wait five or ten beats after asking the class a question. Your impulse might be to call on the students whose hands shoot up right away, but if you wait a few seconds, its gives introverted students a chance to think through their ideas and process them.

When you give your students a mixture of choice, space, and flexibility, they will often feel safer taking risks and feel more empowered to freely express themselves in the ways that are most natural for them.

4. Listen to Your Students
Just as teachers are responsible for learning about the cultural, ethnic, and academic backgrounds of their students, learning about their social, learning, and preferred styles of expression is important as well. Every teacher knows that despite labels regarding personality, different learning ability, or grade level, each student is unique and needs to be treated as an individual. One of the best ways to do this is to listen to the students. Ask them how they like to learn, cooperate, and share. You could tell them it is okay to like to learn or work in different ways. Give them opportunities to tell you in groups, one-on-one, in writing, and through anonymous comment boxes. This dialogue will empower you and your students to create a learning environment where everyone can participate, be honored, and be heard. Listen to your students, get to know them, and let them help you build a class environment where introverts, extroverts, and everyone in between can flourish.

Written by Julia Travers

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