“Don’t smile at them until after Christmas!”
When I first started teaching, I heard this from more than one veteran teacher. I remember being a bit scared and a little curious about what would happen if I did smile at my students before Christmas? I didn’t have to wait long to find out because on day one of my first year of teaching, the smile appeared, and it has been around, for the most part, the past 12 years.
Students need to know that their classroom is a safe place for them to grow. This includes asking questions, making mistakes, forgetting things, sharing their learning, and making progress. Allowing your students to feel comfortable from day one in your class can start with a smile! It lets them know it is okay to be themselves.
Have you had a smile in class today?
I am sure we can all remember one or two pieces of advice we received when we began our teaching journeys. Can you still remember any, are they still valuable today?