5 Tips for the First Week of School

As a new school year is set to begin, we often spend countless nights in the lead-up to the "big day" asking ourselves the same kind of question:

How can I make this year even better?

The time spent pondering ideas to this question is so important, if you are looking to elicit any kind of change to your own teaching practice and goals for this school year. Take your time. Reflect on everything you know and everything you've tried before - this can be a year for you to tweak things slightly or even re-brand yourself as an educator!

Here are 5 things that I believe matter in the first week of school:

1. Welcome them to your classroom at the door with a smile. First day class organization chaos may happen - but once you have your group and are in the room - take the time to make them feel like they are a part of something special in your class.

2. Spend time with "team building" and "class culture" growing games and activities. DO NOT begin with class rules. Nothing lets the excitement out of the room quite like revealing your laminated copy of the class rules (because they haven't changed in 10+ years).

3. Learn their names in the first week (or even the first few days if you can). Use student names early and often - we all love hearing our name used, and it will begin to show students that you care about them and who they are. 

4. Find out about student interests. The more directly the better too! Having them write a letter to introduce themselves to you is one idea - but a face-to-face conversation will give them both your attention and interest. 

5. Share your own beliefs about learning and development. As a class, come up with a collaborative list of things to remember and realize. Post them on the walls all around the class:

"Learning is a journey - we are all in this together"

"Be problem-solvers - not problem-makers"

"Learning is messy and failure gives us important feedback"

"Show Grit. Be Resilient. Stay Strong."

"Dream about what you want to learn and become."

Above all else, have fun and always remember why you chose this profession. Do what is best for students and always keep their interests and dreams in mind. 

Equity is Everything

Learning is inconsequential without purpose and participation. To create the conditions for learning that invite, involve and invest true meaning for learners: there needs to be a promise of equity.

When considering multiple entry points and planning for engagement – don’t lose sight of your audience. Where they are and what they have experienced should serve as the foundation for your practice. It is only through multiple lenses and by using many perspectives that we can truly comprehend what it means to be excluded – and therefore – take steps to ensure that it doesn’t happen within our classroom walls.

Equity should be the lifeblood of our educational system. It is the framework that contextualizes our theory into practice. By reaching every student, we, as educators, ensure that our approaches are inclusive and our teaching is relevant to everyone.

By using inclusive language, considering alternative points of view and providing opportunities for communities to speak up and have their voices heard – our education system will stay relevant and rewarding for all that it involves.

Without tailoring lessons to reflect the diversity in ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status (among other things) that live within our school walls and communities, we are failing to capitalize on the true life experiences and application, to the outside world that our students so dearly need. If we are, indeed, delivering a 21^st century educational experience, it must grow out of the views of diversity in a global world - not the educational traditions that continue to live on out of comfort and ease-of-use.

3 Things to Ensure Equity in Your Practice

1.       Provide a venue for all voices to be heard and considered – A class blog, school website, class newsletter, or parent nights – as many as can be utilized to provide opportunities for input and collaboration with community.

2.       Question yourself – Put your own bias and experiences under the microscope to see where you’re approach to teaching (and learning) is coming from.

3.       Advocate for the silent – Pay attention to the groups that you are not engaging in conversations. Getting to the heart of this could reveal real systemic problems that need to be identified, addressed and improved in your classroom or school community.

      By taking steps to ensure that equity and inclusiveness are alive and well in your own professional practice, you will be making good on the promise (you likely made to yourself) to reach all students and make a difference in the lives of the students you teach.