From the temple-lined side streets of Chiang Mai, Thailand to the triple-deckers of Charlestown, Massachusetts, writer and teacher Jessica Lander finds that children who are written off as unlikely to succeed frequently defy our expectations. The secret is setting high expectations for all students and giving them the support they need. When students surprise themselves by discovering their own potential, it can transform their lives

Avid writer and teacher, Jessica Lander has lived and taught as far away as Thailand and Cambodia and as close as Boston — teaching students from sixth grade to university. She is a journalist and author of the recently published non-fiction book "Driving Backwards".

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx