It’s no secret that teachers can do amazing things. Some teachers create incredible lessons that have far-reaching and long-lasting impacts on students and the larger community. Others speak at conferences and write books, inspiring millions. We hear about teachers who become administrators, bringing their expertise and love of the profession to greater numbers of students each year.
What we hear about less often, however, are the day-to-day, common things that teachers do that seem, at first glance, to be no big deal. I’ve had the pleasure of being immersed in the world of K-8 education for 20 years. (I discuss some of my classroom experiences here.) During this time, I have witnessed the profound impact of these “little” things on the wellbeing of students. Here are some things I’ve noticed teachers do regularly.
Greet students
This is a common practice, and you can probably find it in almost every book about classroom culture, almost every article about preparing for the school year. There’s a reason it’s so prevalent. It’s easy to do, and it sets the tone for the day — the students matter, and the teacher is happy to see them. While not every teacher can be at the door each day, this Edutopia article illustrates how powerful greeting students at the door can be.
Start each day fresh
Even the most well managed, respectful, positive classroom can have a bad day. When twenty or thirty different personalities are squeezed into the same room for 6 hours each day, difficulties are bound to crop up from time to time. When teachers begin each day anew, without baggage from the day before, it is a small reminder to students that they are in a safe space. They know that their off days won’t negatively affect future days.
Group students thoughtfully
When I was teaching, I used to change the seating chart regularly, as I noticed things that were and weren’t working. Two students may have needed to be separated because they were disruptive together. I may have moved a student who needed more support next to a helpful, kind student who I knew would provide that support. There are also multiple times during the school day when students work in pairs or groups. Educators put a lot of time and care into these groupings. Sometimes it’s better to have students who are all reading at the same pace together, and sometimes it’s better to mix things up. It’s a real skill, and often overlooked, to know how to group students for different purposes in the classroom.
Have a routine
Daily routines are incredibly important for children. Knowing what to expect each day helps students feel safe and prepared (see this article for more).
Share a bit of themselves
Students need to know their teachers are human. Knowing their teachers as whole people allows students to feel comfortable asking for help or opening up about difficult things. When teachers talk about times when they’ve persevered through a challenge or worked through their own mistakes, students are given implicit permission to take risks and make mistakes as well. Find more about sharing (but not getting too personal!) here.
Be there
Probably the most simple thing of all, being there is also one of the most important things teachers do. When students know they can expect their teacher to be there each day, their sense of security and trust increases. When students can trust their teacher and feel safe coming to school, they are more ready to learn. (Of course, it’s also important to take days off when you need them! Everyone needs time away now and then.)
There are many more ways that teachers positively impact the lives of our children each day. It’s hard to pick them all out because most of them are super subtle — but they’re there!
If you have a teacher in your life, find time to thank them for all the little things they do. You never know how much they may need to hear it!
And, finally, to all the educators in my life, you are amazing and I appreciate you!
