Changing the Classroom Climate One Smile at a Time
Welcome all.
My name is Craig Archer and I am the nation’s leading expert on Proactive Behavioral Strategies. Today I am going to talk about something that everyone who is involved in a relationship, instructs children, or who is just looking to improve their lives can benefit from.
My newsletters are primarily geared toward adult to child interactions because I am an educator at heart, however all who read these words can benefit from the wisdom that they choose to gain from these words. Most of the upcoming newsletters are written from an educational perspective because I want to make a difference not only in the classroom but also in the world at large. Since the majority of my expertise comes from all of my experiences in the classroom then my newsletters will have that flavor. Consequently, any educator who finds my words valuable then they can also apply my ideas, strategies, and philosophy to make their classroom more inviting and productive.
SMILE
One of the foremost influences any teacher has in their daily lives is how he/she interacts with their students. Those daily interactions not only influence a student’s self esteem but they also influence a student’s academic performance level. In the educational community administrators and teachers all have heard this phrase a multitude of times. A student will not care about what they are learning until they know that you care about them. This idea may have come to you in different words but it holds true for every teacher and student relationship. I don’t believe that there is a single person teaching today that doesn’t care. The degree to which they exhibit that feeling varies with each individual and the kind of day s/he is having.
Each and every one of us in the educational industry has decided upon this career because we care about kids and our society at large and want to make a difference. One easy way to do this is SMILE. You may not think that it would make much of a difference in your student’s performance on a test or a coworker’s attitude toward a benchmark but you would be mistaken. A smile changes attitudes. A smile creates a positive bond. A smile can create an energy that extends way past the giver and the recipient of that smile. Often times you may not see any direct result but research has proven that when a person smiles at another person it will change the energy of the person who is being smiled at. Most times when you smile at someone it is near impossible for them to not smile back.
This one little thing that you do every day can have a dramatic impact not only on your classroom atmosphere but also on a student’s learning demeanor. When a student comes into your room and sees you smile they know that they are in a place where the positive will outweigh the consequences. The student will see a person who is ready to deliver a lesson that is interesting and that they care about you as a person.
My challenge to you is to try this for a week and see the difference it can make in your life and the lives of those you teach. It won’t be easy to change the behaviors that are ingrained but the end result will be well worth it. Smile at yourself as you get ready in the morning when you look in the mirror. Smile, and make eye contact if you can, at anyone that you greet. Do this as much as you can throughout the day. It may be difficult and you may not do it consistently but be as persistent as possible. Smile at your loved ones as often as you can. Smile at yourself at the end of the day in the mirror and think back upon the day and recall all the other people who smiled back at you. You will make a difference and at the end of the week I guarantee the people’s lives that you have changed will be innumerable.
If you have enjoyed this message please forward to anyone that you think would benefit from my perspective. If you would like to sign up for my Newsletters please visit the link below and you can become a regular receiver and benefit from the ideas and experiences that have created my vision.
If you have any questions, comments, stories to tell, or examples of how each of my newsletter ideas have changed your life or classroom please feel free to email them to me and I will share your wisdom in my newsletters as well.
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Yours in positive thoughts,
Craig Archer – PBSS