Self Connection: Your Best Teaching Tool
“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel. ”
— Eleanor Brownn
If you’ve been following along with our series on creating connections in the classroom, you already know the power of greeting students at the door and taking a few moments for quick check-ins.
But today, let’s talk about an even more foundational step in building those meaningful relationships: connecting with yourself first.
My life mantra "Connection before Correction," is a key principle in Positive Discipline that emphasizes the importance of relationship before redirection. But there’s a crucial step that often gets overlooked: before you connect with your students, you need to connect with yourself.
Think about it—how can we genuinely connect with others if we’re not in tune with our own state of mind?
Teaching is an emotionally demanding profession. Every day, you’re faced with a myriad of challenges, from managing classroom dynamics to meeting the diverse needs of your students. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of the day forgetting to check in with the most important person in the room: YOU.
Connecting with yourself means acknowledging where you are emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Are you feeling energized and ready to inspire, or are you carrying the weight of stress and fatigue?
Taking a few moments to ground yourself in the morning can make a world of difference. It allows you to be fully present, to teach with intention, and to approach your students with empathy and patience.
(Quick) Q-Tips on How to Connect with Yourself before connecting with students:
Create a Morning Ritual: Whether it’s brewing a comforting cup of tea, listening to a favorite podcast, or taking a moment to stretch, establish a routine that brings you joy and calmness. This ritual can be your daily anchor, helping you transition from home life to classroom life with ease.
Mindful Breathing: Take a few box breaths before your students arrive. Close your eyes, inhale deeply for a count of 4, let the air fill your lungs, pause for a count of 4, exhale slowly for a count of 4 releasing any tension or stress you may be carrying, and finally, pause for a count of 4. repeat this 2-3 times. This simple practice takes less than a minute but can have a profound impact on your mood and focus.
Walk/Move with Intention: If possible, incorporate movement into your morning routine. Whether it’s a brisk walk to school, a short yoga session, or a few simple stretches, physical activity is a great way to release stress and get your blood flowing.
Positive Affirmations: Remind yourself of your purpose (your WHY) and the positive impact you’re making. Try a simple mantra like, “I am here to support and inspire,” or “I am calm, focused, and ready.” Positive self-talk can shift your mindset and set a positive tone for the day.
Set Intentions for the Day: Take a moment to think about what you hope to achieve that day—not just in terms of tasks or lessons, but also in terms of the connections you want to foster. Setting a clear intention helps guide your actions and keeps you grounded in your purpose.
When you take the time to connect with yourself, it sets the tone for your entire day—and by extension, for your students’ day too.
Your mood, energy, and attitude are incredibly contagious. If you’re feeling centered, calm, and positive, your students are more likely to mirror those emotions. But if you’re frazzled or frustrated, they’ll pick up on that as well.
By prioritizing self-connection and self-care, you’re modeling essential skills for your students: self-awareness and self-management.
You’re showing them that it’s okay to take a moment, to breathe, and to check in with their own feelings. This practice helps create a classroom culture where emotional well-being is valued just as much as academic achievement.
Remember, self-connection isn’t a one-time activity, it’s a daily practice.
It’s about being aware of your own needs and taking steps to meet them so that you can show up as your best self for your students. It might look different each day—some mornings, it might mean a quiet moment with a cup of tea, while other days, it might mean a dance break to shake off some stress. Whatever it looks like for you, make it a priority.
So, before your students walk into the classroom, take a few minutes to connect with yourself. It’s not about perfection, it’s about presence.
By grounding yourself in a positive, calm state, you’re creating the foundation for meaningful connections with your students. And in doing so, you’re not just teaching them the curriculum—you’re teaching them the value of mindfulness, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence.
