Do you ever hear students saying the words "I’m just not a good stylist"? This embarrassed confession hints at an educational experience fraught with negative beliefs and expectations, not just about their technical skills but about their ability to succeed in general. This mindset becomes an inescapable prophecy that affects their entire experience; they don’t seek help, ask questions, or prepare for class. In turn, they receive bad grads and the prophecy is fulfilled. Self-fulfilling prophecies are usually negative, but they do not have be. Teachers play a vital role in helping students to replace their negative prophecies with ones that reinforce successful strategies

Dr. Melissa Wehler, Dean of Humanities and Sciences at Central Penn College, is an English teacher. But her tips on how to help your students overcome these challenges apply to every kind of student. Check out her 5 tips on ways to break the self-fulfilling prophecy cycle.