Spotting Hidden Struggles and Creating Classrooms Where Students Don’t Have to Pretend
Tracks
Diverse Learners Symposium
| Friday, May 15, 2026 |
| 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
| P5 |
Overview
Masking (when students hide their needs, distress, or differences in order to “fit in” at school) is one of the most overlooked challenges in education. These students often appear quiet, compliant, or high achieving, yet crash at home or in safe spaces.
In this interactive session, we will unpack the hidden cost of masking and how educators can learn to spot the subtle red flags. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how masking affects learning, how to respond compassionately when unmasking looks “messy,” and how to build classrooms where every student feels safe enough to be themselves.
Speaker
Millie Carr
Learning Specialist
Dohertys Creek P-9 College/ Unmasking Education
Spotting Hidden Struggles and Creating Classrooms Where Students Don’t Have to Pretend