They're Begging You to Listen

Yesterday while working with my students a realization just came over me.  Something that I often talk about, but that yesterday just hit home so much.

Kids want us to notice them.  Kids want us to care.  Many times as teachers we get so caught up in the paperwork, and planning, and preparing for the test, that unintentionally we forget about the individual child.

We forget that there is a little voice in that body saying, "what are you going to do to inspire me today"?

My kids come to school, and they come to class, and they come into an environment where they know that they are loved, they are valued, and most importantly they have someone that believes that they can really change the world.

I write this today to encourage you to step outside of your comfortable zone.  Have lunch with a group of students, play football during recess, or just let a kid know that you notice them and that you think they're amazing.

You have no idea how much of an impact you make on a kid with just a smile, hug, handshake, or kind word.

Your students are begging you to inspire them.  They're begging you to prove to them that you care.  They're not begging you to teach them math or reading or science (that comes after the relationship is built).  Everything comes back down to relationships.  So listen to them say "INSPIRE ME" and step up to the plate, and inspire.