First and Foremost, what I know to be true is that you have a heart a gold to be here with me learning and reflecting. We are lifelong learners right? So, let's do it with grace and ease teammate.
So let's start with teaching. Teaching has and never will be for the faint of heart, but the last few years have been tough. Through it all, I still love teaching. The goosebumps I get when I engage in dialogue or experience the lightbulb moment of students is like no other. The synergy gets me going!
In spite of all the shenanigans, students can still feel a genuine love and care in their hearts. This is the root of culturally responsive teaching. Planting seeds and nuggets of hope and prosperity. Helping them see their personal potential. Debunking perfection and honoring progress. Gifting them with growth mindset strategies. Seeing their humanity in spite of the rigorous expectations. Showing love and care for students and receiving that love and care in return.
Community Care. Community care is essential and takes daily effort and intention.
As we close out the year, teachers are inundated with checklists, surveys, inventories and student performance documents.
Not much has changed in that department.
But there can be a change in you.
You can decide to resist. To advocate. To give students the fresh start they deserve. That is, if you choose to return to the classroom next year (teammate I promise you we will unpack that saga later), come back with more compassion and empathy like never before.
While it is easy to fall back into the routines, avoid responsibility, and point fingers, you have more power than you think. You must shift your mindset that your impact is as great as the giants that have come before you and take action. The hearts, minds and souls of our students and staff alike are forever changed. This may feel like a huge feat when faced with possibly being the only person in your building seeing the immediate need for change. Don't getting into the cycle of thinking that your impact is too small. We are the sum of many parts.
TEAMMATE, SIMPLE INTENTIONS CAN GO A LONG WAY.
Here are a few things that you can consider when building your classroom culture:
Make eye contact when speaking to students, this may seem small, but it affirms a persons value
Greetings: a simple hello, wave, pat on the back or hug will do, one on one is best as you see students and staff alike
Asking simple questions that give you insight on their world
Pay attention: actively listen to direct and indirect communication
Apply their interests to your classroom in subtle and extraordinary way
Okay teammate, we have covered quite a bit and here we beleive the inner work is synonymous with "the work," so here are a few questions to reflect on for just you:
What makes me happy?
How do I treat others when I am happy?
How can I give students ownership and empower them to lead?
What is one thing I want my students to say about our time together?
What went well this year?
What is one thing I want to change for next year?
Bottom line, however you choose to show up, students thrive from love, care and your structure.
Remember to be authentically you.
Channing