Mistakes: A Luxury for Some, A Burden for Others

Dear Educator,

What kind of space are you creating in your classroom?

In this episode of PD for the Soul, we’re challenging ourselves—and you—to take a deeper look at the unequal weight of failure in our schools. While some students are praised for “failing forward” or “learning from their mistakes,” others—particularly those from marginalized communities—face a very different reality. The same missteps that are framed as growth opportunities for some can lead to consequences, lowered expectations, or even punishment for others.

The hard truth is this: failing doesn’t mean the same thing for every student. And when race, language, and socioeconomic status come into play, the way mistakes are perceived and handled can either open doors or quietly close them.

This episode is an invitation—not just to listen, but to reflect.

• Are your students truly free to take risks in your classroom?
• Do they feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them?
• Or are there unspoken rules, reinforced by systems, that make some students’ failures feel like personal flaws?

Together, let’s reimagine what it means to create learning spaces that honor the humanity of every child—spaces where growth is encouraged, not penalized, and where failure is treated as a stepping stone, not a strike.

You have the power to shape that environment. Let’s do the work—with equity, care, and intention.

With deep respect,

Laneshia

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