To My New Students,
Welcome aboard! I am your new teacher and can’t wait to journey with you in this new school year. Before we get started, there are a few things I would like you to know. First and foremost, you are already loved and matter to me and your classmates. You may be wondering how I already know this when I haven’t met you yet? It is a teacher thing that you will have to trust me on. This derives from the reality that I am your teacher, and you will spend the majority of your day during the school year in my classroom and at school. My mission is to make sure you feel loved, comfortable, and safe. Then in return, you can learn all you need to and see all the doors the world has opened up for you. Each and every day, I hope you learn something new and walk out the door knowing you are cared for in our classroom.
As we begin the new year, I also want you to know that I am your biggest fan, supporter, and defender. I want to celebrate your successes and hard work inside and outside of the classroom. I will dance for joy when you receive a good grade on an assignment, just as much as when you are chosen for the school’s soccer team. While there are many achievements I will find out about, share with me the things I don’t know. For example, you lost a tooth or got your black belt in karate. I am here to share those moments with you. On the other hand, failures and mistakes will happen throughout the year and I will be there to help you overcome them. We will employ a growth mindset. We are not going to let our setbacks bring us down. Together, we will grow and learn, and I will support you all the way.
There is more to being in the classroom than just academic learning. These life skills, as I like to call them, are skills a person needs to know in order to be an effective citizen in today’s world. They span from gaining self-confidence, understanding respect, making the right choices to being technologically savvy. While learning these life skills, we will strive to make the right choices, but that doesn’t happen all the time. Our actions may take us to the wayside and call for redirection. You may get frustrated with me and I may be disappointed by your choices at times, but you and I are both learners who take guidance from each other.
Each year, I leave for summer (hopefully) a better teacher because of my students. I can’t wait to see what you will teach me. It may be a new magic trick. It may be a cool fact about sharks or it could be a new way to handle difficult conversations. Whatever it may be, please know I am still a learner in the classroom, just like you.
As for academic learning, I will try to make that as exciting and engaging as possible. We will test new activities and assignments. Some may work and others won’t, and that is okay. I can’t promise that each day will be sunshine and roses with really cool activities, but I will do everything in my power to help make that happen.
For the next 180 (give or take a few) weekdays, we will be together. I hope you always remember how much you mean to me, how special you are, and how much I care about you through the good, bad, and the ugly. I am looking forward to seeing your greatness each day. I am looking forward to seeing the next generation of leaders, teachers, and movers in my classroom each day. I am already rooting for you. You are going to do wonderful things this year and I am so glad I can be a part of it! Let’s get started on our new school journey—are you ready?
Love,
Your New Teacher
