“How Am I Smart?”: Discovering the Different Types of Intelligences
We often associate being "smart" with having perfect grades and high test scores, but intelligence is much more nuanced than that! In this article, Ms. Tara Fox, CCA Fort Lauderdale’s Assistant Principal for 11th-12th Grade, highlights eight types of research-backed intelligences and how individuals can embrace their unique, God-given strengths.
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The student walked into my classroom and slumped into a chair. Eyes downcast, he shared that despite extensive studying for his third attempt, he still hadn’t gotten the required SAT score for a Bright Futures scholarship. Words softly spoken then filled the room:
“I’m just not smart enough.”
As we talked, it became clear that he wasn’t just dejected from his score; the lie that he wasn't "smart enough" was leading to growing fears of worthlessness and inadequacy.
Unfortunately, this heartbreaking story has repeated itself throughout my 18 years in education. Even more so, as someone who had struggled with math in school, I could relate.
It wasn’t until I had started teaching, though, that I learned that the concept of “smart” is far more robust than all A's on a report card or the results of a standardized test. In fact, the growing body of research over the last few decades indicates that the nature of intelligence is much more complex, highlighting what we believers already knew – that God created us uniquely and so wonderfully diverse.
“. . . the nature of intelligence is much more complex, highlighting what we believers already knew – that God created us uniquely and so wonderfully diverse.”
The Eight Intelligences
In 1983, Dr. Howard Gardner first published his theory of “multiple intelligences.” Defining “intelligence” as the ability to identify problems and then create products to solve these problems, Gardner suggested that there are at least eight different ways individuals demonstrate that they are intelligent (Gardner, 64). Researchers continued to develop his ideas, and in 2016, educational psychologist Dr. Kathy Koch filtered this study of intelligence through a biblical worldview and presented her findings in the fantastic book 8 Great Smarts.
CCA faculty and staff had the privilege of hearing from Dr. Koch this past spring alongside almost 3,000 educators at the annual Schools United Professional Development conference hosted at CCA’s Fort Lauderdale campus. At the conference, Dr. Koch emphasized embracing the beautiful ways God made us and our students. The following chart showcases an expansive view of intelligence, summarizing the eight different “smarts” that she, Gardner, and so many others have championed throughout the decades (Koch, 18).
| Word smart | A linguistic intelligence in which individuals think with words. |
| Logic smart | A logical-mathematical intelligence in which individuals think with questions. |
| Picture smart | A spatial intelligence in which individuals think with pictures. |
| Music smart | A musical intelligence in which individuals think with rhythm and melodies. |
| Body smart | A kinesthetic intelligence in which individuals think with movement and touch. |
| Nature smart | A naturalist intelligence in which individuals think with patterns. |
| People smart | An interpersonal intelligence in which individuals think with people. |
| Self smart | An intrapersonal intelligence in which individuals think with reflection. |
As we learn more about our smarts and the remarkable ways God designed us, here is a helpful framework to keep in mind.
We're All Smart!
The research demonstrates that each individual possesses all eight of these smarts to different degrees and can continue to grow in each of these intelligences! As a result, the question changes from “‘Am I smart?’ and ‘How smart am I?’ to the much more valuable ‘How am I smart’? It’s no longer about the amount of intelligence but instead about which intelligences are strengths. And, it’s not as much about comparing with others as it is becoming who we were designed to be” (Koch, 24).
Helping students understand their smarts can help them see just how fearfully and wonderfully God knit them together, encouraging them to further embrace who God made them to be and the good works He has called them to (Ephesians 2:10).“Helping students understand their smarts can help them see just how fearfully and wonderfully God knit them together, encouraging them to further embrace who God made them to be and the good works He has called them to.”
Stewardship is Key
Since everything we have comes from the Lord, that includes our smarts too! As a result, we must carefully steward our intelligences through the power of the Holy Spirit. As Colossians 3:23-24 says, I should work at whatever I do with all my heart, because I am serving the Lord. Consequently, I should strengthen the smarts that come more easily to me and seek to develop the ones that don’t.
Additionally, I should also steward how I use my smarts. After all, I can use my word smarts to belittle, condescend, or gossip. Conversely, I can use them to encourage, support, or defend. When we prioritize our relationship with Jesus and allow his Spirit to lead us, we are more likely to use our smarts wisely and to love others well.“When we prioritize our relationship with Jesus and allow his Spirit to lead us, we are more likely to use our smarts wisely and to love others well.”
The Smarts Work Together
Our different smarts interact with each other all the time. Consider the mechanic and the doctor – both utilize logic smarts to critically analyze problems, along with the hand-eye coordination of their body and picture smarts to find solutions.
We also see these smarts in action every day in our students. Last year at a varsity baseball game, our right fielder caught a fly ball near the scoreboard and then launched the ball to the third baseman; my jaw dropped as the baseball arced across the field and landed perfectly into his teammate’s mitt. That young man used his picture smarts, body smarts, and people smarts to help get two outs for CCA and end the inning. Clearly, despite what some teen movies might suggest, there’s no such thing as a “dumb jock”!The Smarts and Learning
We should celebrate our students’ efforts across the board – both as they deepen their stronger intelligences and grow in their weaker ones. I’m so thankful my parents cheered me on when I earned a top honor in an English class as much as when I battled through statistics to earn a B-.
Once students start to understand their different intelligences, they can also apply their smarts to learning. One student might take his music and people smarts to add jingles to a history concept while studying with a friend. Another might take her word smarts and picture smarts to create flashcards with visual reminders of each concept. Both approaches find students making their smarts work for them.
Our Opportunity
As for the student who sat in my classroom all those years ago? He didn’t have the highest SAT score, but he could take apart a computer and rebuild it better than before. He thought deeply about ideas instead of memorizing his way to an A. And he was a great people-person, with a welcoming smile and a desire to share his faith with others.
To be honest, that SAT score couldn’t come close to measuring his brilliance. With its focus on only two of at least eight intelligences, the SAT just wasn’t asking him the right questions.
I am truly grateful to work at a school that invests in God’s different giftings of each child. CCA offers a state-of-the-art theatre for our artists, fully equipped labs for our engineers, a brand new Fieldhouse to support our athletes, opportunities like the Peer Active Listener (PAL) mentoring program for students to develop their interpersonal skills, and so much more.
“I am truly grateful to work at a school that invests in God’s different giftings of each child.”
Our opportunity, then, is to continue nurturing these intelligences in our students, helping them realize that they have been marvelously created by God, wherever their giftings lie. Encourage them to take this self-assessment if they need clarity on their strengths. Additionally, Dr. Koch’s 8 Great Smarts is another helpful parent and teacher resource that examines how these different intelligences intertwine with spiritual growth, learning, careers, parenting, relationships, character, and more.
Once our students gain self-awareness on how God has uniquely wired them, they can take confidence in knowing that he who began a good work in them will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6), all while humbly and joyfully using their smarts to the glory of God and for the advancement of his kingdom.
Sources:
Koch, K. (2016). 8 great smarts: Discover and nurture your child’s intelligences. Moody Publishers.
Gardner, H. (2011). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences (3rd edition). Basic Books.
Tara Fox serves as the 11-12th grade Assistant Principal for CCA Fort Lauderdale. Entering her 19th year in Christian education, she spent most of her career in an English classroom before moving into full-time administration. Additionally, her CCA roots run deep – she is in her 6th year as a CCA staff member, is a graduate of Hollywood Christian School (now CCA Hollywood) and worked at Northwest Christian Academy (now CCA North Miami) for 13 years! Tara also holds a B.A. in English from the University of Florida and an M.A. in Education from Michigan State University. She is passionate about learning, literature, and the discipleship of the next generation.
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