By Angela Maiers
Click here for my resources on how to make mattering THE agenda in your classroom, school, district or organization. It will change the culture, for good.
As adults, each of us has a chance to make a positive and impactful difference in a child’s life.
But in order to do this, we must carefully consider this question:
What matters most to our children?
For 20 years I have been posing this question to my students. At the beginning of every school year, I would ask my students to give me advice on how to be their best teacher. I asked them to think about the times they felt most successful and to consider what the adults in their lives did to make this success possible.
The classroom would become immediately silent as the students wrote intensely for longer than they had ever written before. Smiles would appear on their faces as they reflected on the happy experiences they were remembering. After reading their responses, I would add to my list all the ideas they mentioned.
Surprisingly, many of the responses were the same. Year after year, in every grade level, content area and classroom I was in, regardless of demographics or background, students were saying the same things and had the same message: It’s the small things you do that mean the most. That is what they remembered. That is what mattered.
Here is a list of the 12 Most Important things that came out of these amazing conversations:
Wish me good morning, and send me off with a “see ya tomorrow.”
When you look at me, let me see happiness in your eyes.
Sit and talk with me privately; even if only for a second.
Help me dream of things I might be able to do; not just the things I need to do now.
Show me how to handle it. Teach me what to do.
Inquire about my weekend, the game I played, the places I go. It shows you care about my life.
Time to let things sink in. Time to think. Time to reflect, process, and play.
Hold me accountable to high standards. Don’t let me get away with less if you know I am capable of doing better.
Leave special messages in my desk or locker. Just a quick note that says you notice something right.
Even if my questions are off topic, let me ask them. It will show that I am thinking about new perspectives, curious, and willing to learn more. Let me have the chance to show what I am wondering about, not just what I know.
I came to you in love with learning. Keep me excited, keep me wanting more.
Believe that I can do it. Allow me the chance. I promise to show you I can.
These words did not fall on deaf ears. I collected them, honored them, and then promised I would do everything within my power to be the teacher they wanted me to be.
What matters to the children in your life?
It’s worth a conversation, I promise!