A new year…

As the beginning of the school year is upon us, I find myself thinking about what a unique opportunity our profession provides us. How many other jobs are there where you get a new start every year? A new opportunity to make a first impression. A chance to evaluate what we’ve done in the past, keep what worked and revamp what didn’t. We get annual opportunities to make a first impression.

As educators we get a whole new group of people to build relationships with, to excite about learning, to change their lives. We mustn’t waste these special moments early on in the year when students are looking to us to see how we will get to know them, if we want to get to know them. Every year a whole new group of them will wonder, “will this person fight for me, will this person be on my side”. We have a tremendous responsibility to show our students they matter and we care about them. Our content is our medium to establish relationships and build up skills. As we start the year I am always reminded of this aphorism:

How will you get to know your students in the #first5days?

One simple way to show students you care is to know their names. I have seen so many students’ faces light up when I call them by their names. Students want to be known, to be seen. You saying their name is a powerful way to show them you care and that they matter. What will you do today to show students that you care?