The PLaybook: How Do You Show Up? Revisiting Your Educator Presence

This month’s PLaybook is designed to support anyone seeking to revisit their sense of presence. Whether in the classroom, hallway, playing field, office, or cafeteria, how we show up for our students and community has a significant impact.

We recommend that you engage with this spotlight resource on your own, share it with colleagues, or engage in it as a community practice. Share ideas with one another and tell stories of impact. We welcome hearing them, as well!

"I treat every student as an important part of our classroom and school community. Taking time out of my day to listen to any student who wants to share shows them I'm not just here to teach but I'm also just there for them. We have fun in the classroom through team building games where I show students my silly side. I go outside during recess and play soccer some days and other days, I stay inside to talk about anime. Cultivating an environment of trust and mutual respect between myself and the students (and between the students themselves!) is essential to creating a classroom where students feel valued and connected." Meen Cho, 5th Grade Math Teacher, Maureen Joy Charter School in Durham, NC.

"As a Special Education Teacher, fostering a sense of belonging for every student is essential. This approach improves academic engagement and proactively addresses potential behavioral issues. To ensure each student feels valued and included, I make it a priority to connect with them as they arrive, whether exiting the bus or entering the cafeteria for breakfast. These individual check-ins help me gauge the day's potential challenges and address them before their academic day begins.

My classroom is designed to be a sanctuary where students take pride in their learning environment. We have two aquariums for brain breaks, as well as learning how to care for a pet. Additionally, we have a healthy snack box accessible at any point in the day. A self-care box is available for students that didn't get to brush their hair before school, need their glasses cleaned, need a band-aid, or have braces that are hurting and need wax. This fosters independence while lowering the stress they could potentially feel about not having these needs met. Students are given controlled choices over independent work when possible. All of these "little things" go a long way towards building trust and a strong, supportive relationship with each student." April Mick, Special Education Teacher, Reading and Math Interventionist, Fort Ellis Elementary School in Briscoe, TX

If you do just one thing this month, let it be rooted in care. Will you stand by your door as students file in? Will you keep a thank you note on your desk to remind you of how you’ve shown up for others?

For inspiration, watch this 1 minute video of Becky Green sharing her shifts to do-nows to be more student-centered.

Recognizing each school's unique challenges and opportunities, The PLaybook is crafted for instructional coaches, directors of professional development, academic deans, and teacher leaders. This resource for GOA member schools delivers curated playlists, design sprints, and slide decks right to your inbox, along with additional resources and special events to bolster your educational strategies, lead meaningful change, and support your unique teaching approach.

We’re offering you a sneak peek of our new PLaybook! Stay tuned for more details on how to subscribe and get The PLaybook delivered right to your inbox each month beginning in September.