Smile and Say "Good Morning!"
Teacher Tip of the Week #1
I am so happy to be featuring the teacher tip of the week on my blog. After 15 years of teaching elementary school, I still feel I have so much to learn. However, I also feel like I have learned a tremendous amount. First and foremost, I have learned to smile and say, "Good morning!"
This sounds so easy, but we all know how difficult it is to be awake and chipper first thing in the morning. We have all felt overwhelmed and tired, so much so, that it has taken a great effort to smile, especially at 7:00 in the morning! AND please be extra careful around me before two cups of coffee!!!
With all that being said, I have discovered that most children respond better to teachers that respect them and care about them. This all begins at the start of school. You can change the whole demeanor of a child by simply smiling and saying hello. I try really hard to be at my door to say good morning to each and every child that passes my classroom door. By the way, that is a lot of children since they positioned my classroom directly across the lunchroom where most students in our school eat breakfast! Good morning comes out of my mouth many, many times each day!
I can think of many social skills I am teaching the students that pass my doorway in the morning. We all know modeling is one of the best strategies for preparing youngsters for their futures. My hopes are that I am making a positive impact on others throughout the day. I am just blessed that most of those "others" are children!
In conclusion, I will add that children are not the only ones that need a smile and a "good morning." I can think of many days that I have felt discouraged or even sad about things in my life that had nothing to do with school. One colleague showing that they cared by smiling and asking how I was doing, made my spirits lift. That has happened many times in my teaching career. We need each other, too!
I have two young boys who attend my elementary school. I understand the struggles and the difficulties with rushing and trying to be the best we can be. Regardless, I will be smiling and saying, good morning each day!!!
