"Every teacher I know feels like they're failing."

This line in an article in the Chicago Sun Times got to me.

So I decided to do something about it. I wanted to change the narrative in my own mind. I decided to look for where I feel I'm doing WELL at school. I suggest you try it next. Here's what I noticed in just one day...

• Each morning, I get a song ready for the start of each class. Students can suggest songs, and if not, I'll share an upbeat song I love. When the song ends (sometimes after the bell), that's when we start class.
• I have a beautiful plant I brought from home. Sometimes students absentmindedly touch the leaves.
• I share what books I've just read, books I'm currently reading, and books I've just finished. Of course kids can read them.
• I walk around the room in the morning, erasing pencil marks on the tables.
• I put notes on the board wishing teams good luck for their games, matches, and activities such as the Spelling Bee.
• I make small cards and hand them out to kids for special reasons (Spelling Bee, taking a big role when we read a script, being vulnerable when sharing writing...)
• In homeroom, we share motivational videos or videos the students want to see.
• My students can hang their work anywhere in the room, as long as it doesn't interfere with our view (of the screen, clock, etc.)
• I greet each student by name at the door each class period.
• The sign outside the room is not about me - it says, "Mrs. J. Kirr's Readers & Writers."
• I try ideas I see on social media. This quarter, I tried "daily dedications." It's still a work in progress.
• I post student writing for other students to read (if they choose) during independent reading time. I also post a way to provide feedback.
• I post quotes I love from books I've loved.
• I have a gazillion books (or so) I've shopped for and scrounged for.
• I have a station where students can use staples, scratch and full paper, colored pencils, crayons, rulers, scissors, post-it notes, erasers, calculators...
• I have a bag of feminine hygiene products the girls know about.
• I get attendance right 99% of our days (after looking at three different tabs on the spreadsheet).
• I check out books from my own library if the students need a book (like recently when our book club books still weren't in).
• I read (and take notes or share summaries of) most of the books the students read for book clubs.
• Let's face it. I read a TON of children's literature... and teaching books, too.
• I have a sign out sheet instead of using passes. How can I not try to trust the students to make decisions on their own? If I notice their name is on the list a ton in one week, we have a discussion.
• I write when the kids are writing.
• I share my writing.
• I do everything I'm asking students to do. I try the writing lessons ahead of time, so I know (and can share) where students might have trouble.
• I take photos of our class and share in monthly email updates home to parents.
• I take the notes I want my students to take.
• I ask a question of the day to get the kids talking. It's a mix of "would you rather," open-ended, and multiple choice questions.
• Our room is open between classes... I love the game my 8/9 block plays ("Tips"?) that gets kids from other classes coming in to play. As soon as the bell rings, my students put the ball away.
• I make ribbon/magnet bookmarks for my students.
• On Mondays, I set up a glasses-cleaning station ("Buena Vista Avenue") in the hallway.
• I practice my Spanish on Duolingo every day (ask me about my streak! I know it will be above the 780 it is today!), so I can (someday) talk in some of my students' first language.
• I give my students pencils when they need one.
• We have a weekly "Thankful Thursday" time where we share our gratitude.
• I tell my students "I love you."
• I try to talk to my students about life outside of school - should they be willing.
• I'm myself around my students. I'm vulnerable. I'm silly. I'm upset. I'm celebrating. I'm ME.
• I smile under the mask.
• I make TikToks and use SnapChat filters. They want me to add a neck tattoo to this one...

I'm a good teacher. So are you.