At this point, I’m sure many of you have seen the viral videos of teachers waiting outside their doors, greeting each student with their self-selected greeting. But have you tried it? As someone who only recently has been invited into the elementary school world on a regular basis, THIS is where it is at. Of course the intention is to check in with our students and help them feel seen and valued. But what no one shares in those videos is how amazing it feels as the teacher to connect with each of those little people.

In my current role as elementary school PE teacher, I am a buddy to a classroom whose teacher does this greeting. And on lucky days, I get to be the greeter. Getting to have these beautiful little connections with each student, one right after the other, is magical. I can’t help but feel buoyed in spirit, glowing from those hugs, high fives, and dance offs (though my favorites are the hugs).

We ALL benefit from these foundational relationships in our classrooms and small moments we take out of our day to build them.