“The key to a successful MV lesson is for the teacher to withhold his or her personal values during the discussion and remain impartial. Teacher-directed discussions allow teachers to express their personal values on an issue and try to persuade or convince students of their viewpoint. A well-conducted MV lesson doesn’t provide that opportunity. When teachers refrain from providing their personal values about an issue, students begin to think about their own values and listen carefully to values that other students pose.”

An excerpt from Philip’s (2006) “Drugs that enhance Student Achievement:
Good Kids Making Bad Decisions”

When I was in high school, one of my best friends was going through a tough time. In an attempt to try to help and console her, I searched for and shared similar experiences of my own. When I did this, she called me out on this habit of mine, that is the need to have something to say as if my personal experience somehow validates that of the other person’s. I was taken aback by her response. I had never realized before that in my earnest attempts at assuaging someone’s difficult situation, I was actually unintentionally putting the focus back on myself instead of simply being a listening ear and giving them the space to speak or be silent with someone who cares. I was reminded of this experience when I read the above quote. As educators, we must learn to be comfortable with silence. People need the brain- and emotional space to process and respond to discussion questions. I have seen the opposite far too many times: teachers who babble on to fill the silence and cutting students off in mid-sentence in an attempt to finish their thought. Embracing the silence as a positive moment that allows for students to reflect is something that I want to continually be aware of and work on in my own classroom.