Camille Dahnke
Kindergarten Teacher
Redlands Teachers Association

Use digital family communication apps. Bloomz, ParentSquare, ClassTag and ClassDojo are programs that allow you to send messages, notifications, photos, events, reminders and more. Connecting with students’ families builds relationships and trust that help students achieve.

“Connecting with students’ families builds relationships and trust that help students achieve.”

Build classroom community. Using Google Forms provides an opportunity for families to opt in to sharing their contact information with other families in the classroom. Building classroom community and establishing family relationships that extend beyond the school campus increases parent involvement, which positively impacts student achievement.

Use Thinking Maps. I’m always eager to use instructional technology to make learning relevant and engaging for my students, and I am a huge fan of Thinking Maps (thinkingmaps.com; a set of eight visual patterns that correlate to specific cognitive processes, used across all grades and content areas to build critical thinking, problem-solving, comprehension, and communication skills).

Ericca Dent
Second-grade Teacher
Burbank Teachers Association
2021 LA County Teacher of the Year

Reach out before and say hello. Send a postcard to introduce yourself before the first day of school. This is a great way to build relationships with students and their families.

“If routines aren’t in place, much of your time will be spent trying to manage behaviors. So, practice, practice, practice.”

Have students practice routines and procedures from Day 1. It’s tempting to jump right into academics, but if routines aren’t in place, much of your time will be spent trying to manage behaviors. So, practice, practice, practice.

Use music for transitions. Use a song for each transition throughout the day, such as lining up, coming to the carpet or packing up. When students hear the song, they will instantly know what to do and complete the actions by the end of the song.

Susie Prado
Fifth-Grade Teacher
Garden Grove Education Association

Share your story with students. I was an English learner, and I share my story about the struggles of being a student with limited English, and how much my life improved because I worked hard and asked a lot of questions. It helps students relate to me and understand that they too can succeed.

“I bring in visitors throughout the year to share their experiences in elementary school, college and the workforce.”

Tell students every day counts. I let them know that every day I give 100 percent, because their families are relying on me to provide a good education – and I expect them to do the same. I share that we must make our families proud and work toward being successful adults.

Bring in guest speakers. I enjoy bringing in visitors throughout the year to share their experiences in elementary school, college and the workforce. It’s a great way for students to learn about different colleges and careers and start thinking about the future.

Darren Shimasaki
High School Social Studies Teacher
Santa Ana Educators Association

Create a comfortable environment. Setting the right mood is important for students to get comfortable enough to learn. Remove outside distractions by putting curtains on windows, if possible, which allows students to focus on what’s in front of them rather than distractions outside. Also, try turning off some of the lights. This will allow students to relax and get in the proper headspace to begin working on classwork.

“Try turning off some of the lights, to allow students to relax and get in the proper headspace to work on classwork.”

Encourage a clean classroom. Let students know that part of creating a good environment is keeping the classroom clean, because nobody wants to work in a dirty classroom. Place trash cans around the room, maybe one in each corner. As you walk around, offer to take students’ trash for them, which reinforces having a clean workspace for students and the teacher’s dedication to keeping the class clean.

Derek Dokter
Business Professor
Mt. San Antonio College Faculty Association

Make students feel welcome. Greet them in the hallways. Hand out small gifts like healthy snacks. I give students a tent card to put on their desk. On the side facing out is their name and their preference for what they wish to be called. On the other side – for them to look at – are their
personal and career goals. The more you see your goals every day in front of your face the more likely you are to meet them.

“Getting involved beyond the classroom makes you feel like you belong to something that is important and special.”

Connect with the school community. Be an advisor to a student club. Encourage students to join clubs. I teach in the business department, so I encourage my students to join a business club of some kind, which will foster connections to other students and even networking for jobs. Also, consider mentoring. It fosters personal and professional growth and offers encouragement and motivation to peers. Getting involved beyond the classroom makes you feel like you belong to something that is important and special.

Mark Quest
Middle School Social Science Teacher
Capistrano Unified Education Association

Be human. Students get stoked when they know what you’re passionate about. As an avid runner and mountain bike enthusiast I share ambitions and races with students. I tell them stories about how I’ve improved and discoveries about personal weakness. Students are happy when I’ve done well, worried if I get hurt or don’t do well, and appreciate when I reflect on the process. This humanizes me and fosters connections.

“I tell students stories about how I’ve improved and discoveries about personal weakness. This humanizes me and fosters connections.”

Desk writing. Students love to write on their desks. And I let them. Each group gets a bag with white erase markers. Every student in the group should have a different colored marker so you can tell who wrote what. Then prompt the class to write about the topic in paragraph form on one desk in their group. They should communicate ideas, with each student responsible for a specific part of the writing. Set a timer, have a reward for the best paragraph, and have paper towels and some Windex (or wipes) to clean up.

Sean Nunley-Willis
Paraeducator
United Educators of San Francisco vice president for paraeducators

Begin the year rested and ready. I don’t think we give mental health its proper due. Paras were drowning this past year, trying to avoid COVID while navigating feeding tubes and working with students with disabilities. So, before school begins this year, do something that relaxes and centers you and makes you happy.

“Do something that relaxes and centers you and makes you happy…Look at yourself honestly and see things you want to work on.”

Set a professional goal. Look at yourself honestly and see things you want to work on. Attend a workshop on equity or watch tutorials. Build a better relationship with a student who has meltdowns. Or learn a little Spanish or Vietnamese if you’re having a hard time communicating with families. For me, it’s time management. I’m trying to navigate doing equity work, being a union officer and being a para and realizing I can’t be in three meetings at the same time.