Reconnect Happier

Suzanne DaileyBlog, Connect Better, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better, Teach Happier

TL;DR:

  • We can try many things to reach our struggling students, but have you tried asking them what they need?
  • Provide students with an opportunity to give you feedback, like a Teacher Report Card, so you can better respond to their needs.
  • Being open to receiving feedback and making changes in response leads to improved connection and belonging.

Reconnect Happier

As an instructional coach, I have the honor and joy of working with new teachers. I know we aren’t supposed to have favorite groups…but they are my favorite! Wild-eyed, optimistic, energetic, grateful, and hungry for new ideas. 

A new third grade teacher, Brittany*, reached out to brainstorm how to support one of her students, and I am so excited to share what evolved from our initial conversation. What we learned together could give us all something to consider as teachers, administrators, or any other important role in education. 

Reaching All Students 

“Suzanne, please help me with Ben*. I just can’t ‘get to him’ the way I can reach my other students to keep him engaged. I’ve tried playing classical music in the background, dimming the lights, moving his seat, changing who he sits near, modifying assignments, behavior charts with incentives…and nothing is working!” 

“Oh Brittany, I can’t tell you how much I admire your dedication to reaching Ben. He is so lucky you are his teacher.” 

“Thank you. But I just don’t know what else I can do to help him.” 

I paused, smiled, and asked, “Have you asked him?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Well, have you asked Ben what he needs? Does music help him? Where does he prefer sitting…in a group or does he want his own space? Does the dim lighting make him sleepy?” 

“Oh my gosh, Suzanne. I never thought of asking him.” 

We thought this was the perfect time for Brittany’s students to create a report card on her and the classroom! Let me tell you, when we shared this idea with them, they couldn’t believe it. Click To Tweet

Grading the Teacher 

Since we are on trimesters in our 15 elementary schools, we just finished our first trimester and students all received report cards. We thought this was the perfect time for Brittany’s students to create a report card on her and the classroom! Let me tell you, when we shared this idea with them, they couldn’t believe it. “We get to grade our teacher?!”  

We decided to do a paper/pencil report card and we gave them 20-30 minutes to find a quiet place in the room to think, reflect, and share their feedback. All third graders took this task quite seriously. Hands were busy writing and faces were focused.  

Here were some of our questions: 

  • My favorite/least favorite part of the school day is…because… 
  • My attention and energy is best at this part of the day: 
  • I learn best when Mrs. Smith… 
  • I feel important when… 
  • I am proud of our class because… 
  • As a class, we could _______ better. 
  • Things could be more fair in this classroom if we… 
  • This helps me concentrate/focus: 
  • Draw your ideal classroom using the furniture and desks we have now. 
  • What other feedback do you want to share with Mrs. Smith? 

After students shared their ideas, we poured through the responses and came up with some themes.

For example, we realized that some students prefer to be in rows rather than groups (which makes perfect sense given their pandemic seating in grades 1 and 2). We also learned that the music in the background was actually distracting to some students and the bright lights became draining, especially in the afternoon. We found out that some kids loved sitting on the carpet, while some are getting uncomfortable now that their legs are getting longer.  

Regardless of the feedback collected from Ben and her other students, the classroom configuration has changed, and some daily routines were revised. It was a little “refresh” that they all needed.

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Connection & Belonging 

I am certain this activity helped students feel a greater sense of connection and belonging. It almost felt like it went from Mrs. Smith’s room to everybody’s room. 

Technically January 1st is the New Year, but as teachers it isn’t. Our New Year is in September. But as we flip the calendar to 2023, we can make it feel like a fresh start with our classroom families. Let’s consider gathering thoughts and ideas from those we live with 7-8 hours a day. This overt reconnection can move through the new year in the healthiest headspace and heartspace as possible. 

It’s a New Year with our same classroom families. 

Let’s reconnect happier. 

*Names have been changed 

Small Shifts, Big Gifts!

Consider the questions you would ask your students to better understand what they need to thrive in your classroom. Create a survey and see what they say!

About Suzanne Dailey

Suzanne Dailey is a proud member of the Teach Better Family! She is an instructional coach in the Central Bucks School District where she has the honor and joy of working with elementary teachers and students in 15 buildings. Suzanne is Nationally Board Certified, a Fellow of the National Writing Project, and has a master’s degree in Reading. She is dedicated to nurturing and developing the whole child and teacher. Suzanne lives in Doylestown, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.

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