High Expectations Without the Pressure

Hiya Conscious Community,

Have you ever had a boss who expected a lot from you but gave little to no support? Maybe they piled on responsibilities without clear directions, leaving you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and like you were just trying to keep your head above water. It’s hard to grow in that kind of environment, isn’t it? The pressure is there, but the support you need to succeed is missing.

Now imagine how students feel when we hold them to high expectations but don’t provide the guidance and tools they need. Like that overbearing boss, if we only focus on the outcome without helping along the way, we risk leaving students feeling lost, anxious, and incapable of reaching their full potential.

Balancing Expectations with Support

High expectations are important—but only when paired with the right support. Students thrive when they know we believe in their abilities and are there to help them grow. It’s about maintaining a growth mindset—believing that all students can improve with the right resources, not lowering the bar because of a deficit mindset that focuses on what they can’t do.

In my latest podcast episode with Dr. JPB Gerald, Voices of Neurodiversity: Challenging Racism in Language Education, we explore how biases around language proficiency and race can lead to unfair assumptions about students’ abilities. These biases often result in lowered expectations and a lack of support—both of which hold students back instead of pushing them forward.

Actionable Steps for Parents and Teachers:

Set Expectations Together

Work with your students to set realistic, achievable goals. When they have a say in their learning journey, they’re more likely to stay engaged and motivated. Make sure these expectations match their developmental level and are culturally responsive.

Focus on Strengths

Instead of pointing out what students aren’t doing well, look for the things they are doing right. Recognizing their strengths builds confidence and encourages them to keep trying.

Give the Right Support

Just like you would want clear guidance from a supportive boss, students need scaffolding—like feedback, examples, and encouragement—to meet expectations. Break tasks down into smaller steps and celebrate progress along the way.

Examine Your Own Biases

Take a moment to reflect on any biases you may unknowingly hold. Are you lowering expectations for certain students because of assumptions about race, neurodiversity, or language ability? Challenge these biases, and commit to seeing every student’s potential.

Encourage a Growth Mindset

Help students see that mistakes are a natural part of learning and that their abilities can improve with effort and persistence. When we model this mindset, students start to believe in their own potential.

In my blog post, Challenging Biases in Education: Rethinking Intelligence Through the Lens of Language Proficiency, I dive deeper into how biases in our education system affect how we perceive intelligence. By challenging these harmful assumptions, we can create a more inclusive environment where all students are encouraged to succeed.

Join the Conversation! If this topic resonates with you, I encourage you to check out my latest podcast episode with Dr. JPB Gerald and read my blog post. Together, we can rethink what it means to hold students to high standards—with the right support, every child can reach their full potential.

🫶🏾

Brittney

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