The "High B Student Challenge"

The "High B Student Challenge" is named for my friend, Renee Akins. We finished a complex video series extending over several days and covering a wide series of topics. We were exhausted.

Sitting in the dining area enjoying a much-deserved glass of wine, Renee noted that she'd forgotten a significant chunk of content. How is that possible, I asked, did you rehearse that? No she said with a chuckle, I never rehearse anything.

Renee confessed that since she was a little girl she found she was bright enough that she'd get a high B easily without any effort. She knew she could get a solid A with effort, but the high B was so easy that is was hard for her to justify the extra effort.

I have two students right now who are at risk for being High B Students. Both are very good speakers and with little effort turn in a serviceable performance. My challenge is to get them engaged enough that they will put in the time to shine. Meanwhile another two students started off as terrible speakers. They lost their places, spoke too quietly and rarely made eye contact. But they are driven and over time they've dramatically improved their performance.