It has frequently been the practice of many teachers and administrators to “prepare” teachers for the students they will be having in their classes the next year. That preparation may entail learning about  students’ behaviors, learning styles, strengths, and areas needing improvement in their academics. This information can be very helpful so that teachers can plan to modify and enhance their lessons for their new students. I would submit that this is not enough.

Yes, I would agree it is important to learn about students before you teach them. It can help with the preparation of your “toolkit” of strategies. But too many times we remember those comments about a student, especially those comments from their former teachers that list their  weaknesses in academics and behaviors and we lose sight of the enormous power that our own optimism about each student can play in how they will live within our classrooms. I would suggest that when meeting new students it is extremely important to be prepared with a keen eye and ear to see and hear when students are working diligently, cooperating with others, using their optimistic messages with themselves and others, and exercising their citizenship skills in the classroom. Yes, it is a balancing act. We want to be prepared with information from the previous year. But we do not want students to feel that they are burdened with their history from the previous year in school.

 I know I hope to try to continue to use the opportunity with each new student as a time to practice my emotional intelligence skills. We know how emotions are contagious! We know that modeling those EQ competencies can be powerful! We know that students can change those patterns that have not worked with them in the past. Giving them a chance will help the balance move toward the positive.