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Is it Safe in Here?

Emotional safety is a goal for your personal well-being, as well as for your students. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt unsafe to speak your mind or even feel your feelings? Ever had someone close to you not listen or care about how you feel? Ever have a friend or loved one judge how you feel and what you think? What would you want for your students?

The Science I Explored

…there is a good amount of neurological evidence to promote the idea that if students do not feel comfortable in a classroom setting, they will not learn. Physiologically speaking, stressed brains are not able to form the necessary neural connections. …feelings like embarrassment, boredom, or frustration—not only fear—can spur the brain to enter the proverbial “fight or flight” mode. The amygdala goes into overdrive and gets in the way of the parts of the brain that can store memories, says neurologist and former classroom teacher Judy Willis, who has studied this phenomenon extensively.[1]



A Situation

It is a new school year. Students arrive on different levels academically and emotionally. It is a time of getting to know each other and putting routines and class expectations in place. A Classroom’s Emotional Safety Method Emotional safety in the classroom is about feeling comfortable and safe enough to learn. The start of a school year is an excellent time to cocreate with your class a set of “emotional well-being rules.” Rules that say, “We treat each other with kindness. We encourage each other while learning. We are patient with each other.” These “rules” can be said as a mantra upon starting the day. While the older grades may feel a bit silly at first, keep going. Repeated words have tremendous power! The beginning of the year is also a good time to ensure that students know explicitly how you, the teacher, will ensure they are in a safe place for learning. Research emotional well-being activities that could be suitably integrated into your classroom life. Setting up times to check in with individuals or small groups helps solidify the teacher-student bond. Knowing when to get outside help is crucial. Use the school’s resources for guidance. Guidance counselors and licensed social workers are valuable people with whom you should communicate. I know we say the educator becomes mama, papa, nurse, and social worker. But it is okay to get guidance from a source other than yourself. Now see the smile of the child who is encouraging to other students. And imagine the reactions on the faces of students being encouraged. Say it with me: “I’m creating a safe space for us all.”


Quotes

A good teacher must be able to put himself in the place of those who find learning hard.

—Éliphas Lévi

Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.

—Japanese Proverb




 
 
 

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