On Educating Girls Ep 15: Girls Who Embrace Their Introvertedness

Loading player...
Quote: “I would like the parents of introverted children to know that supporting our passions and interests is important and that we will find our individual ways of being a leader. Even though we are quiet, we are still capable of being confident.”

This episode of On Educating Girls unapologetically celebrates the introverts who live, learn and work among us. Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, launched a conversation that has, over the last decade, become a full-blown movement to better understand what introverts bring to the table and to support and empower “quiet” children, often erroneously judged as painfully shy or socially awkward. If there is a quiet girl in your life–or inside you—you will want to listen.

Join host Trudy Hall as she learns how Betsy Gugle, Director of Lower School at Columbus School for Girls, and her teaching colleagues have embraced the challenge of affirming introverts in a world that is still biased toward extroverts, integrating awarenss of all personality temperaments into the school culture. We learn that language and labels matter in this important work, as does the modeling of adults who want to ensure the voices and talents of self-described introverts are honed and honored. In a world that has become too noisy, perhaps it is the introverts that can lead the way?

Resources You Should Know About:
ICGS (International Coalition of Girls Schools): https://girlsschools.org

Columbus School for Girls: https://www.columbusschoolforgirls.org/

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Cannot Stop Talking, Susan Cain

Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts, Susan Cain

Additional Resources:
● The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World, Marti Olsen Lancy, Psy.D.
● Quiet Kids: Help Your Introverted Child Succeed in an Extroverted World, Christine Fonseca
● The Elegance of a Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery
● Quiet Revolution Resources for Schools
● Quiet Revolution Resources for Parents
● Article: How the Definition of Leadership is Changing for Women by Kathryn Sollmann (Forbes
Magazine)
● Article: Engaging Quiet Kids by Susan Cain and Emily Klein (Independent School Magazine)
● Article: What are Introverts like as Children, Jenn Granneman (Psychology Today)
23 Nov 2022 English South Africa Education · Kids & Family

Other recent episodes

The Connected Girl: Give them a sporting chance with Dr. Nicole LaVoi

Participating in school sports and physical activities is proven to boost confidence, resilience, and the ability to work as part of a team. These benefits extend beyond childhood into adults’ professions and relationships, making a positive difference in almost every aspect of life. But the UN reports that girls drop…
18 Mar 38 min
 trailer  

Introducing The Connected Girl S3

In this new season of The Connected Girl, a podcast series curated by the International Coalition of Girls Schools, we’re exploring agency. The idea that girls have the ability to own their own decisions and their own directions in life. Why does this matter? And how can the adults around…
18 Mar 3 min

The Grown-Ups Guide to Girls: Learning to disagree without disconnecting

👂🤝 In a healthy democracy, it’s inevitable that we will disagree with others. In fact, it’s necessary! What would it look like if we spent more time engaging in debate without tearing each other down? How can we teach respectful disagreement in classrooms and beyond? In this episode, we hear…
4 Feb 11 min

The Grown-Ups Guide to Girls: When Good Enough is the Goal

🏆🥇Do you know a perfectionist who struggles when things don’t go according to plan? A so-called good girl who works hard to please everyone except herself? (Maybe this is you!) For expert guidance, we turn to Nicky Whitham-Blackwell. As associate principal at Westlake Girls High School in Auckland, New Zealand,…
7 Jan 13 min

The Grown-Ups Guide to Girls: Talking to Girls Who Don’t Want to Talk

🖇️💌 Does the question “How was your day?” elicit a one-word reply? Do you find it difficult to connect with a girl you care about? For expert guidance we turn to Ann Muno, a girls’ rights advocate and acclaimed author of Powerful Girls: Raising Strong, Just and Compassionate Young Women…
3 Dec 2025 15 min