"Labeling" is a well known concept in social-pyschology. Apparently not very well known in education. Or known in reverse.

Today, please consider one of my other victory stories. I saved a child. He was labelled as "bad." I don't know why. He was being hounded by his first grade teacher. What stories! And was being treated like he was recalcitrant and behind. He was not. He was acting normal, but he was bored -- because he was extra bright.

I was Academic Dean. I was in the classroom helping a new to the school but experienced teacher. Thank God, I saw what as going on!

Let's not leave it at one child rescued academically -- and surely you know a bright 7 year old boy, labelled as bad would end up with behavior problems. The juvenile halls are filled with "learning disabled" boys! Let's learn how to avoid these problems.

Let's be sure our children, and our students are labeled. And let's reform teaching all together -- but that will be another book and another episode.

The power of words. No where more powerful than in the ears of a young child!