Five Things Students Need to Hear Every Day

1. "Hello! How are you?" - Greet students everyday so they feel connected. Ask them how they are and what kind of day they would like to create.  this lets them know you care.  For older students, as they walk through the door, make eye contact and welcome them with a handshake, a high five, a fist bump or a simple good morning/afternoon.  Not only will they feel more connected but, you will be teaching a valuable networking skill. The bonus is that as a teacher you can get a feel for how to best acclimate the students to learning. 

2. “You are valuable.”  - Tell students that you are happy to see them and glad to be with them. Whenever someone is absent allow the class to acknowledge their absence. Upon their return let them know they were missed – “We were okay without you but we are better with you.” In the elementary school some classes sing the missing student a song to wish him/her well. Students know when they are absent that the class will be wishing them well. When they are absent they feel good knowing they are being thought about and missed. The added bonus is this builds empathy, a critical life skill. Teenagers who are empathetic tend to be more purpose driven and they intentionally succeed in their academics because their goal is to understand the subject material and to utilize the knowledge as one of their ever increasing tools. Let students know that you really enjoy spending time with them. Refer to your class as your school family and try and live as one.

3.  "Please" and "Thank you" - As mama always said, "Good manners are never out of place."  Common courtesy is a sign of respect.  When you ask someone to do something, by asking politely and by saying thank you, you create a culture of respect in the classroom. Being selfless is not always easy, especially for a younger student.  When students do things for others, encourage them to say please and thank you. As the teacher, take every opportunity to thank students so they know they are truly appreciated.  Everyone deserves to feel appreciated.

4. "You can do it!" - If you want students to believe in themselves never give up, and try again when it doesn't go as planned, you have to feed the belief that they can figure it out for themselves.  Whenever they ask for help with something you think they can do even if it's challenging, tell them "You can do it, believe in yourself". Teach them to believe in themselves and be independent.  A failed attempt is an opportunity to try again, get better or improve.  The satisfaction on their face when they finally get it is priceless.  Words aren't powerful enough to describe that feeling the teacher and student experience when a challenge has been met.

5.  "I love you" - Everyone wants to feel loved, to feel that someone really understand them and cares.  Learn the different ways student affirm their deep acceptance.  Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell suggest the following:  Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving gifts, Acts of Service, and/or Physical Touch.  As you get to know your students at the beginning of the year, try to figure out what makes each one feel connected.  Aside from saying "I love you" try to spend time with students in a way that they feel loved. Some like to have one on one time, others prefer a quick hug/high five, some like to give the teacher drawings, others like when the teacher shares with them.  The key is to genuinely love them. Children know when you are not sincere.  You may spend more waking hours with your students then you do with your immediate family.  Create a learning family.  Get to know them well and really want what is best for them because they deserve it.  Showing you care deeply builds trust in the classroom.

Natalia Walchli, (Primary School Jr.K Coordinator)
Shelley Roy (Author, Life/Instructional Coach)