Let Me Know How Proud You Are

The greatest thing a teacher ever did for me was told me how proud they were of me for my accomplishments when I went up to accept my diploma. - Kiersten

We sometimes forget how much our words of encouragement, our smile, our kudos, or our praise affects our students. We get into the business of learning and pass these things by or lost in our own thoughts and not fully present for the moment where a student is seeking this feedback or attention. 

It is a lot to give all we do for their learning, to keep all those heads pointed in the right direction and marching towards their goals, and to also remember to be alert for all of their attention needs too. 

It is not a question of loving them because we know we love all of them, even the ones that can drive us crazy sometimes. It is whether they know they are loved.  

In the above quote we have a student that has done everything they have been asked to do or at least enough to graduate; they have received their diploma and are still relishing the praise from their teacher.  

It might seem like there is always more to give, but let’s look at it from a different perspective. Even after everything this student has done, achieved, and been through, the only thing that really mattered to them was the relationship.  

You.

You were the only thing that mattered to them and likely the one thing they will remember about this period of school, with the exception of a few crazy events.  

You were the difference in their education and the memory they will take with them forever.  

Although some days it may be hard to do, look for the little moments when it is easy to make them smile, laugh, give them some kudos, and tell them you are proud of their effort and actions.  

It might be the smallest of gestures, but it also might be the most important thing your students will take with them.  

Your love.