Let’s talk about something that might sound a little cheesy, but is backed by research. Positivity.
And no, I don’t mean fake smiles or toxic positivity. I mean real moments that remind students they matter, they’re growing, and they bring something valuable to the world, even on the days they forget their pencil. Again…
Starting class with a small moment of positivity, a compliment, a win from yesterday, or something a student is proud of, can completely shift the tone of the day.
When we do this, we’re teaching students to notice the good stuff in themselves and in each other. Over time, that noticing becomes a habit. It becomes a resilience builder and a way of seeing the world that says, “Even when today is tough, I’m tough enough to handle it.”
Positivity spreads. When we model it, students learn how to give and receive compliments, celebrate effort over perfection, and look for light even when things feel heavy.
So the next time you kick off class, start with something positive. It doesn’t have to be deep. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be real.
Because when students feel seen, appreciated, and confident, their mindset shifts from problems to possibilities. We begin building habits of gratitude and belief. And belief starts with being seen.
They may forget the lesson, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel. Let’s make sure it was positive.
-Mr. Brian & The Edtomorrow Team