337: Fostering "Mattering" to Counter the Toxic Achievement Culture in Today's Schools
Guest
Dr. Sarah Bennison is an adjunct professor at New York University and founder of Trinity School (NYC) Office of Public Service, a thought-leading service learning initiative engaging students, faculty, families, and alumni in ongoing, meaningful community engagement work and social impact curriculum.
She started her career in New York City public schools in the South Bronx and has thirty years of teaching and leadership experience. Sarah is also the founder of a children's sleepwear company for social good, BennisonGives, LLC, which emerged from her work to support infant and maternal health in Burundi, East Africa.
Summary
In this episode, Sarah and I discuss the concept of "mattering"—feeling valued and adding value—and its potential to counteract the toxic achievement culture prevalent in many high-achieving schools. Sarah shares insights from her work with students, particularly around connecting academic learning to real-world issues through community service. She highlights how fostering a sense of mattering helps students manage stress, develop confidence, and experience mental health benefits. We explore ways for teachers, parents, and schools to support students' mental well-being through small, consistent actions to reinforce students’ intrinsic value. Sarah also discusses how the Mattering Movement’s curriculum integrates into academic subjects, providing a framework to build connection, belonging, and resilience among students.
Three Takeaways
The Power of Mattering: Students benefit when they feel valued and are encouraged to add value, which helps counter the pressures of an achievement-focused culture.
Curriculum Integration: The Mattering Movement’s curriculum is flexible, allowing integration into any academic subject and making social-emotional learning part of the regular school day.
Support for Parents and Educators: Parents and educators can foster a sense of mattering in small, meaningful ways to help students develop resilience and manage stress
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