As a teacher, many would think I would dread the opening of the school year. But I don't. I actually love it. Although it means that summer is over and I have to take a shower before 4:00 in the afternoon, it also means that I meet a new group of kids who I get to work with all year. Most importantly, I get to show these kids that they will have a safe space to be themselves and to be valued all year long.
For me that is the most important thing about the first day of school. Very few kids care about the syllabus or the textbook. Most kids want to know: will I be safe, will I be seen, will I be valued and will I be able to learn. So my job is to convince them as fast as possible that the answer to all of those questions is "yes!". (And then they can start worrying about the syllabus and textbook.
Don't get me wrong, I know it is my job to teach my students the content and skills needed to succeed today and in the future. But I cannot do that if there are barriers in the way. So before I can teach, I need to make sure to destroy or teach students how to get around those barriers. If a kid doesn't feel safe, they won't learn. If a kid doesn't feel seen, they will not learn. If a kid doesn't feel valued, they will not learn.
For many years, us teachers just assumed those needs were all being met outside of the classroom, but that is imply not the case now... I don't know if it ever was. Many of my students barely see their parents. They spend more waking hours in school than they do at home. And there is no guarantee that their parents' schedules overlap with theirs. Many papers work long hours or second or third shifts. Some may want an iPad or the internet to raise their children. Others are having such a rough time that they can't help their own kids. There is a reason that if the event of airbags needing to be deployed on a plane, they tell adults to put theirs on first before helping their children. Sadly, no everyone is able to help themselves, so how do they help their kids. This now means it is definitely a teacher's job to assist each student with their oxygen mask. And believe me, to a teenager, feeling safe, seen and valued is just as important as oxygen.
It is no easy task to make sure every student feels safe, seen and valued. There are too many students and not enough hours in the day. Therefore, I need to look for the most efficient ways to send messages that in my classroom, they are going to get those essentials. One of the shortcuts to this is by using posters and visuals. My room is covered with pop culture characters and quotes that I hope speak to the students and send the message loud and clear that "I see you". It's amazing how far a few Marvel, Harry Potter, She-Ra and Owl House quotes can take you. Toss in a little Batman, Steven Universe and Abbott Elementary and I think I have about 99% of my kids covered.
My second shortcut is T-Shirts. I used to dress up for school. But now I find it just creates an unnecessary barrier between the kids and me. I look far more approachable in jeans and a T-Shirt. Kids still know I am the boss without my having to wear a tie to show it. They pick up on that from the way I act and how I consistently set and enforce limits. That leaves me open to wear slogans on my shirts reminding my students that I see and value them. My favorite ones are the shirts that recognize and encourage people to take care of their mental health. Mental health is health! It should be cared for the way we do for our physical health. Just like we feed our bodies healthy things, people must also feed their minds and hearts healthy things. We need to avoid unhealthy habits. I want to make sure my students don't fall into teh trap of not seeking help for their mental health just because society puts a negative stigma on those who treat their mental health.
I had intended this to be a lighthearted and fun "start of the school year" post but I got serious. So as long as I am, I just want to remind all teachers and more importantly all parents, that kids need to feel safe, seen and valued as much as they need oxygen. Please keep that in mind when interacting with them. And make sure you take care of yourself too. Empowering kids is a tough job. It can burn you out. Its not selfish to take care of yourself. Because if you do, you will do a much better job of taking care of them.
What an odd thing to think given that if you did you would/should probably switch jobs.
Unless you like wearing suits wearing jeans and a tshirt to work sounds mucn more comfortable anyway XD
I think it is odd too. But surprisingly, people still ask me every year.
I just remembered a lot of people can't seem to think outside of their own skull XD
Last week was our opening class and I feel validated by your words.I adore you prioritizing those needs so that the students can be focused in their studies. The academic year of those students under your advisory will be fruitful and inspiring I believe.
My school opening today .only 2 classes but all students will come 1september .🌼🌼🌼new session new passion
I really liked the post. The care you showed in making students feel safe and valued is truly inspiring. Best wishes for a wonderful academic year ahead.
The first day of school is important for everyone, my friend, because that's when the Teacher-Student partnership begins, which will last a year or even longer. It's very clear that you love your job, but at the same time, you don't see it that way because what you really want is to give your students the necessary tools to become good people in the future.
I really enjoyed reading your article, my friend. I also think that it is most important to make students feel safe, valued and visible before books or syllabus. You have highlighted this issue very beautifully through your article, which is truly commendable. Best wishes to you.
Truly, a student’s sense of safety and being valued is more important than any curriculum or textbook. It’s wonderful that you prioritize creating a healthy and safe environment for them that in itself is great teaching. 👏
You had a good idea to hang up posters with quotes from characters they know. A good teacher should have an approach to children. My youngest son had a good teacher for the first 4 years at school, she is a good psychologist and understands children well, which is rare these days.
Have a great openning school day and good luck (you will need it 😂)
It's amazing how much love and dedication you bring to your work, especially to the children, making them feel comfortable and secure so they can reach their full potential while developing it. Happy start to the school year.
Going to school every day is insanely stressful. But us students need to accomplish that kind of work. And thank you so much for sharing that to us.
You couldn't have been more right. At whatever level, we must create healthy environments for children, and that goes beyond physical health. It's important to create safe spaces to promote participation and interaction, even more spontaneously. The return to school forces us to constantly reflect on how we can act with students' emotional health in mind. How we, as teachers, can contribute to ensuring the message gets across and is processed isn't about personal satisfaction, it's about the achievements of the children. That's my humble opinion.
A teacher who has been raising children for a long time, then his heart falls in love with the children. The children keep changing, but that environment is always remembered
Honestly, it’s true that we don’t really care about the syllabus on the first day—we just want to know if we’ll feel safe and accepted in class.
I really enjoyed reading it! Making students feel safe and valued is inspiring.
Great writing! Your perspective on making students feel safe, respected, and valued is truly inspiring.
Sometimes barriers are good things.
I went to private boarding school for highschool and the students were forced to wear dress code, which included dress shoes, dress shirt and tie (could substitute a turtle neck), dress pants, dress socks, blazer, no hats. This lead to a more professional mindset in the classroom, and encouraged the students to take school more seriously. If it was up to me this would be enforced at all schools at high school age and certainly college.
If you are preparing students to enter the business world, then they need to be used to getting dressed for business. Teaching them while dressing down lowers standards mentally for all. You need to teach them how to dress and behave as a professional teacher by setting the example.
Do what you want but this is my opinion.
Best of luck to you! We have opening day tomorrow with all staff back then next Monday students are back. It's crunch time for my department with a bunch of changes being rolled out over the summer. All new wireless district wide, a new classroom management software, and probably a good percentage of Chromebooks that likely won't work because we transferred half of them from our old tenant to our new one over the summer. My wife wears a lot of SEL T-shirts.
I think I'd get along very well with you and your wife! Good luck tomorrow and thank you for doing all you do for the kids. Kids and teachers rely so much on tech. They can't learn without you!
I think so too! Thank you! You and her are the real heroes though!
Summer vacations have been extended in our city this time. Earlier, schools used to open here on August 15 due to the summer season, but now they will open on September 1. As the summer season subsides, it is a fact that after so many years, the first day of school is a memorable one. We also remember the first day of our school and college even today. All the friends we make there, and some of them are friends of different races, are always with us and we have a great time of life with them. The religion of a job comes when we are fully committed to our profession and work hard every day.