NOT to do on the first day

This year, I promise my students to not:

• Sit behind my desk and wave at you, but instead be in the hallway, smiling.
• Expect you to put everything away and stay organized, after all, learning can be kind of messy.
• Hand you a folder with paperwork to fill out so that I can get to know you better. Real community comes from conversation.
• Give you a list of my rules; we will make expectations together.
• Welcome you to "my room," it is our room!
• Talk about all of the homework you will have, instead I will share the great knowledge we will uncover.
• Tell you how you can earn rewards; no stickers, stars or trinkets in here - knowledge is our reward.
• Pretend that I know what you are going to say or only partially listen; you are my focus and will be the whole year.
• Run to the teacher's lounge and share stories about those kids that I have. Instead I will share just how phenomenal this year will be.
• Pretend that I have all of the answers or am the absolute authority in the room; this is a journey we take together and you get to teach me as well.
• Hide that I am nervous. I don't know you either so, of course, I am nervous.
• Tell you how to get an "A." Learning is not about grading, it is about learning, so grades will not be a main focus.
• Second-guess everything I said or did; I will trust in myself and hope you do the same.
• Be afraid to try something you suggested; after all, what is the harm in trying?

So ask yourself, what do you not want to do on the first day of school?