It's Sunday night, the night before the first day of school. Lunches packed, clothes organized and school supplies ready for another year of learning. Nope, not for my children. My two boys are grown and finished with public school. Tomorrow begins my 18th year of teaching, it's my 18th first day of school. I still get excited, I still get butterflies, and tonight will be no different than the last 18 years; I won't be able to sleep. I will lie there, my mind racing, wondering if I remembered to label that homework notebook, did I remember to purchase those clothespins for my "Daily Five" board, or did I remember to post my schedule. Then my mind will go to my 22 students. What do I want to accomplish this school year? What are my goals?
I will instill a growth mindset in all 22 of my students. My goal is to get my students to feel as if they can do anything, to do and be the best they can be! I want them to take risks, get out of their comfort zone. I don't want them to be afraid to try new things. Instead of saying "This is hard, I can't do this", they will say "yes, this is hard so I'm going to use strategies to figure this out" or "It may take time and effort, but I will get this." Having a growth mindset will enable my students to do anything and become anything. I will also praise their effort and the processes they used in reaching their goal. According to Dr. Dweck, praising students effort will actually raise their IQ! Having a growth mindset will propel my students to grow academically.
Most importantly, my students will feel safe and loved! Learning can not take place if students do not feel safe or if they feel the adult in charge does not care. With 22 students, from 22 different households, I can not control what goes on outside of my classroom or school. I can control what goes on in my classroom. The moment my students walk through my door I want them to know they are important to me, that they matter. A smile, a kind word, a gentle touch on the shoulder can change the course of a young student. Nothing makes my heart smile more than when a student periodically says (in the middle of class) "I love you Mrs. Routten." I respond with, "I love you too!"
Of course, I want my students to grow academically, but if my students adopt a growth mindset, if they feel safe, and loved, then the academics will take care of itself.
So, as I wind down on this night before the first day of school, I can't help but get excited thinking of the opportunities that will arise over the next 180 days and thinking about the 22 lives entrusted to me. What a responsibility and what an awesome opportunity to make a difference!
To all teachers, educators, and school staff, have an amazing and blessed school year!
