The biggest piece of advice I can give to any teacher is to develop real relationships with your students. This starts from day one. Let them know you care about them and value them. You must show an interest in getting to know them. You have to figure out what makes them tick. You have to talk to them respectfully and in turn, they will do the same to you.
Show them kindness, smile, laugh, be yourself; this really matters. Let them know they matter to you. Show up at their games, remember to ask about the score, ask about events you just cannot make it to. All of this matters. Read the same books they are reading. Listen to some of their music, no matter how much you do not enjoy it, just do it.
Develop routines; they need consistency. Make a point to talk to every student at least once a day. They notice! I call every student’s name out loud in homeroom when taking attendance. I say little things like, “Good Morning,” to “I really like your hair that way!” It develops a caring community. I notice when they are not there and their classmates let me know why they are absent. We communicate daily.
Taking the time to build these relationships is the key to a successful school year. People will remember how you treat them!
