My Favorite Day :)

As a math teacher who has taught Algebra for 7 years now, I have many "favorite days". These include the day we learn the "Function Song", the day we learn about the "Matrix Shop", and the day we learn to use our "Spider Store" to investigate the important parts of parabolas without hassle.

But, my favorite favorite day is what is happening tomorrow!!

I have baked (from scratch I might add) 130 cookies, iced and sprinkled every one of them so that I can pass out two to each one of my 65 students. I have also written a form letter thanking my students for a great semester and wishing them good luck on their EOC next week. BUT it is not just any form letter. In the middle of the letter, I write a personal paragraph to each and every student. This takes a LOT of time, but is so worth it.

There are so many things that I notice and want to acknowledge about each student. Like that I hear the little smart comments Alyssa makes in the back of the room and she has no clue. I LOVE this. I love to hear another person in the room thinking what I am but cannot say. And like Brandon, who sits in the back of my honors class and is making a C, but I am so proud of for taking on the challenge of an honors class even though he was not sure of it.

These letters are my way to show the students that I truly notice something special in each and every one of them. The cookies are fun too, but are mostly just a way to hand out the letters without being too mushy gushy about it.

I have done this since I was a first year teacher and plan to do this until I am no longer teaching. It goes so far for some of these kids to just hear a good, personal comment from an adult. I feel that it has actually helped some students pass the exam and that it has given some students the boost in self-esteem to get them through a hard time.

So, here's to helping others feel good about themselves! Get out there, praise your students, praise your kids, praise your spouse, and send some cheer in the direction of all those you encounter. A little good goes a long way!