I remember when I had first started teaching and my mentor teacher told me that students just want to feel a connection to someone or something. I had been teaching for a few months, and was just struggling to feel like I was establishing a community in my classroom. At the time I was teaching 5th grade, and had over 30 students in my class. Although I did feel like students were mostly respectful to both me and their peers, I didn’t feel like they worked well together.

With the help of my mentor, I decided that I would start by greeting each of my students at the door with a handshake, high five, or fist bump. I demonstrated to each of my students how to shake my hand, look me in the eye, as they said good morning and called me by my name, as I did the same with them. Almost immediately I saw a difference in their attitudes toward me and being in the class. As I got to know them better, we changed it up depending on how each student preferred. Some wanted a hug, some a high five or a fist bump, and some just stuck with the handshake.

Something to remember, is that this took place more than 20 years ago. It was not something we saw teachers post on Facebook or TikTok. Recently teachers have become more aware of social emotional learning, and we have regular activities to address those needs in our students, back then it was not considered as much of a need. In recent years I have started a morning routine that includes a daily check in board for my students to let me know how they’re feeling. We also hold regular morning meetings in which students go around a circle and greet each other, they praise each other, and share a “rose” and a “thorn” about their day or week. My students often tell me that these class meetings are their favorite part of the day.

As adults, during our busy lives, we often forget that it is the simple things that can make us feel more connected. Just taking a minute with each other saying good morning, making eye contact, asking about how they are doing, can make someone’s day a little better. Give it a try. You may notice that it is contagious, and more people may reciprocate the kindness. We all yearn for a connection to someone or something, and it really doesn’t have to be that hard.