The words we use make such a difference to teachers. A teacher I work with had a difficult class last year. The kids were challenging and classroom management was difficult. She looked worn down. Being new, I wasn't sure if this was the way she always was or if this was a atypical year for her.
This year is different. She looks happy and excited every time I see her. Her students are engaged and learning. I have complimented her many times on her great start to the year, but haven't asked what brought about the change. I assumed the new group of students made the difference.
Yesterday I attended the team's PLC. Another teacher on the team is struggling this year. The first teacher tried to share advice, but because of the emotional connection to the situation, the second teacher could not hear her words.
Later I thanked the first teacher for being so supportive of her teammate. She told me that she understood because she had struggled with the same issues last year. I said, "I am so glad you have great students this year."
She smiled and said, "I didn't want to say this today and hurt her feelings, but most of last year was because of me. I didn't start the year off well. The kids didn't know my expectations and I didn't have good classroom management. This year I spent time teaching them how to do everything. We chant the expectations for each area before we start in a new area. We celebrate everything now. We even have fun behavior chants to celebrate. (She demonstrated their superhero chant for me, along with the gestures.) It has made so much difference."
I thanked her for making such positive changes for her and the kids.
She started to cry and said, "Thank you for being such a positive influence on me. Your kind words helped me get through last year more than you will ever know."
No particular moments stand out from last year where I said particularly inspirational words, but I am learning that what I say during informal conversations impact teachers more than I realize. The words I say each day matter. I need to make sure they create and inspire, not tear down.
This year is different. She looks happy and excited every time I see her. Her students are engaged and learning. I have complimented her many times on her great start to the year, but haven't asked what brought about the change. I assumed the new group of students made the difference.
Yesterday I attended the team's PLC. Another teacher on the team is struggling this year. The first teacher tried to share advice, but because of the emotional connection to the situation, the second teacher could not hear her words.
Later I thanked the first teacher for being so supportive of her teammate. She told me that she understood because she had struggled with the same issues last year. I said, "I am so glad you have great students this year."
She smiled and said, "I didn't want to say this today and hurt her feelings, but most of last year was because of me. I didn't start the year off well. The kids didn't know my expectations and I didn't have good classroom management. This year I spent time teaching them how to do everything. We chant the expectations for each area before we start in a new area. We celebrate everything now. We even have fun behavior chants to celebrate. (She demonstrated their superhero chant for me, along with the gestures.) It has made so much difference."
I thanked her for making such positive changes for her and the kids.
She started to cry and said, "Thank you for being such a positive influence on me. Your kind words helped me get through last year more than you will ever know."
No particular moments stand out from last year where I said particularly inspirational words, but I am learning that what I say during informal conversations impact teachers more than I realize. The words I say each day matter. I need to make sure they create and inspire, not tear down.
