Every year I get better at helping students feel safe enough to say, “I don’t get it.” But this year, I’m going even harder—I’m being aggressively supportive. That means making sure students know I will not leave them behind, but they’ve got to speak up, too. From daily reminders to whole-class thank-yous when someone asks for clarification, I’m building a classroom where questions are expected, welcomed, and celebrated.

This one’s for the new teachers—and for anyone who still gets nervous about caretaker contact. I used to stress over every email and phone call, but over time, I’ve built a system that sets a positive tone early and keeps the focus where it should be: on student learning. From a start-of-year expectations email (yes, I CC the students!) to asking students to reflect and communicate when they miss the mark, my goal is to make these conversations easier, more collaborative, and centered on growth.