Some of the best things we can learn happen beyond textbooks and lesson plans. We asked teachers, if they could encourage only one behavior among their students this year, what would it be?
It’s no surprise that teachers had a lot to say. From the more than 100 educators who weighed in, these are the answers that kept coming up.
Top 3 student behaviors teachers want their kids to learn
1. Kindness and empathy
Topping the list with 39 mentions was kindness and empathy. Teachers want to help their students grow up to be kind, caring, and positive. From small actions like using their manners to showing them how forgiveness is better than retaliation — and even learning that working together produces great results!
Easy- empathy. From empathy grows kindness, community, teamwork….
— Kristina @ Teachinginbarefeet (@tchginbarefeet) August 23, 2019
Use words to build others up!
— SarahPomerleau (@scpoms1028) August 23, 2019
To have empathy for their all! Empathy is the first step to compassion which leads us to action! pic.twitter.com/XdqjLAgerw
— Rachel Moore (@TeachMooreMusic) August 23, 2019
2. Growth, perseverance, YET!
For 16 teachers, the most important quality to teach is resilience, perseverance, and a growth mindset. They want their kids to know that it’s okay to fail as long as they try, the word “YET” has power, and that the mistakes they make along the way help them to learn.
Endurance.
— ProfessorMartin1867 (@PMartin1867) August 23, 2019
Academic, emotional, interpersonal . . .
Just endure.@Mr_Severino
To not give up in the face of failure or a challenge. To not fear or worry about such things. They are unexpected opportunities for amazing growth!
— Matt Ledwell (@According2MattL) August 23, 2019
The power of “yet.” I can’t do that… Yet. I don’t understand this… Yet. I spend a lot of time talking about this in the beginning of the year, and then my kids hear me say this over and over all year long. Eventually they start to say it too!
— Rachel (@iteachminds) August 24, 2019
Grit! I hope they become the kind of individuals who see an obstacle as an opportunity. https://t.co/bSy1QLQtQR pic.twitter.com/IRgNu3EWMq
— Veronica Garza (@VERONiCA1291) August 24, 2019
3. Respect, accountability, responsibility
Respect came in third place. Along this theme, teachers want students to learn how to be more accepting and tolerant of others. Where there’s respect for their classmates, teachers, and family, there’s space to be open to other’s ideas. Having respect for themselves leads to accountability.
RESPECT others. While we all may be different or have different beliefs it is important to respect who they are. You may not agree and that is ok but you should still respect their differences and beliefs. #keytopeace #clearthelisteveryday #clearthelists
— Krystal Rogers (@mrsrogersroom) August 23, 2019
Hold yourself accountable for your actions, words, and academics.
— steve messina (@Mister_Messina) August 24, 2019
Extra positive behaviors teachers want students to learn …
Several teachers want their students to love and believe in themselves, be open to ideas from others, listen, focus, and develop integrity and independence. Other teachers want to encourage positivity, honesty, courage, and generosity in their students. Here are some other awesome, inspiring, and sometimes funny answers we loved.
I would encourage my students to focus on learning rather than grades. #ClasscraftFridays #MyClassMyCraft
— Heather Preston (@HPrestonEdu) August 24, 2019
Finding their intrinsic motivation to be the best version of themselves.
— Meredith Levin (@mlevin324) August 23, 2019
To be free thinkers!
— Beau Herman (@MTSIN) August 23, 2019
Autonomy! Tricky thing to practice in middle school. Try to figure it out yourself.
— Mandi (@candypockets2) August 23, 2019
Share the love!
— AndreaH (@TXGirl88) August 24, 2019
When I typed love it auto corrected to lice. Ahhhhh no not that definitely not
We’re all in this together. I want them to understand that our learning journey will happen together, not with an “us against them” mentality. pic.twitter.com/ScL8xswZ0O
— 🖥The Digital Gal🖥 (@PixelGlitter7) August 23, 2019
Citizenship! To belong to a class family/school family creates kind, respectful, proud children that want to take care of their class & school!
— Stephanie (@Stephan83072471) August 24, 2019
To try something new! In science kids can be hesitant but that’s where all the #inquiry #curiosity and #imagination can fly free! 🦋 🧪 🔭 💫 🌍
— Allison S (@allisonps24) August 23, 2019
Leadership. If they are a true leader all other positive characteristics will follow https://t.co/MZZBXO4V7O #clearthelist #support_a_teach pic.twitter.com/YryT8MPM9K
— Kristin Heasley (@heasley_kristin) August 23, 2019
What do you think? What behavior matters most to you? Share your answer with us on Twitter.