What is Excellence? | Vanessa Acheampong | TEDxNorthHighSchool

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker explores the definition of excellence and shares their personal journey shaped by their father's immigrant experience. They discuss a troubling trend among students who settle for mediocrity, despite their potential for greatness. Highlighting the importance of motivation and engagement in education, the speaker emphasizes two key strategies: empowering students and making learning relevant. By connecting academic content to students' lives, educators can foster a culture of excellence. Ultimately, the speaker encourages self-reflection and the pursuit of personal and academic growth, asserting that excellence is a habit formed through consistent effort.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Excellence is defined as the quality of being outstanding or extremely good, and many are encouraged to strive for it in various fields.
• 👨‍👧 The speaker's personal background emphasizes the importance of striving for excellence, inspired by their father's immigration for better opportunities.
• 🏆 Teachers play a crucial role in motivating students to pursue excellence, influencing their academic journey from an early age.
• 📉 Recently, there's been a trend of students settling for mediocrity, with many content to pass rather than excel.
• 📝 Students who receive low grades in high school often continue to struggle in college due to the habit of accepting mediocrity.
• 🚫 A lack of motivation in the classroom contributes to student disengagement and lower academic performance.
• 💬 Educators are encouraged to engage with students meaningfully and recognize their individual needs and goals.
• 🎉 Learning should be fun and relevant; making connections between classroom material and students' lives can enhance engagement.
• 🔍 Reflection is important for students to assess whether they are achieving their full academic potential or settling for less.
• 💪 Achieving excellence requires hard work, determination, and the ongoing pursuit of improvement, regardless of current success.

Q & A

What is the definition of excellence as described in the transcript?

Excellence is defined as the quality of being outstanding or extremely good.

How did the speaker's background influence their view on striving for excellence?

The speaker's father immigrated to the United States from Ghana to provide better opportunities for his children, instilling a strong value of striving for excellence from an early age.

What observations has the speaker made about high school students' attitudes towards grades?

The speaker observed that while some students aim for higher grades, many others are content with receiving D's, indicating a trend toward mediocrity.

What two factors contribute to students continuing to receive poor grades in college, according to the transcript?

The two factors are that getting D's becomes a habit and the lack of a support system from teachers, guidance counselors, and parents once they transition to college.

What is identified as a key issue leading to students' disengagement in the classroom?

Motivation is identified as a key issue, with studies indicating that a significant percentage of students are chronically disengaged.

What are two common themes found in research on how to motivate students?

The two common themes are empowering students by praising their achievements and allowing learning to be fun and relevant.

How did the speaker make the study of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' more engaging for students?

The speaker connected the themes of 'Macbeth' to students' lives, discussing relevant issues like blind ambition and peer pressure, which made the material more relatable and enjoyable.

What challenge does the speaker present to students regarding their academic potential?

The speaker challenges students to reflect on whether they are achieving their true academic potential or settling for mediocrity, encouraging them to strive for excellence.

What examples of successful individuals does the speaker mention, and what point do they illustrate?

The speaker mentions Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Steph Curry as epitomes of excellence, illustrating that their success resulted from hard work, determination, and dedication.

What final message does the speaker convey about achieving excellence?

The speaker emphasizes that achieving excellence in big things starts with developing good habits in little matters, stating that excellence is not an exception but a prevailing attitude.