‘It’s time to raise my hand’
Today I think I’m ready. I take my seat and bring out my laminated name card. Suddenly, I feel queasy and make a panicked wish that someone could speak up for me in class. But nope, it’s just me here with 95 other students. Class discussion begins — and I’m not part of it. Raising my hand in a Harvard classroom discussion has been an ongoing challenge for me. Last year, as an incoming doctoral student in Education Leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, I spent much of my time in quiet frustration. I had carefully read the class materials, prepared the case, highlighted, outlined, and re-outlined the material the night before, only to sit silently listening as the classroom discussion unfolded. Sometimes, even when I knew I had something great to say, I left class disappointed, having remained mute for two hours. Afterward, my supportive classmates would approach me...