Blog Post #4
What, in this video, did you find most meaningful? Elaborate.
Blog Post #8
What does it mean to have a culture of “AND”? What could this (or does this) look like in your school? What part can you play in improving your school’s culture?
"Everyone wants to know they matter." Really taking an interest in our students and staff, being present, and being consistent. You have to connect and build trust with your students and staff, you cannot lead without both. As an Assistant Principal, it's very important for me to form connections of support especially since a lot of the times I am re-teaching behaviors etc, this allows for growth and also being able to share praise/positive comments after re-teaching. All this helps building confidence, accountability and advocacy.
ReplyDelete"Everyone wants to know they matter." This could not be more truthful. Even me as a teacher I do deep down know I matter, but with added pressures each day and year to do more for students, or to have our state say we don't get a raise, or to be asked to jump through this hoop or that hoop by our state or administration. It all gets difficult to keep in perspective what really matters and who really matters. The students we teach and the teachers that teach them.
ReplyDeleteOne of the parts that spoke to me the most was that you have to connect before you correct. A great example was when she said as the Hockey coach she could get a kid to skate through a wall because she knew the name of their dog. Building relationships with students is so, so important. They need to feel that connection, know they belong, understand they are worth it and then they are ready to learn, behave, and thrive.
ReplyDeleteI need to continue to Light up for my students each day, listen to them, show them they matter, and that I care.
Before I answer the question, I just want to say how much I enjoyed hearing from Jody first hand. It really helped me connect even more to the book by hearing her speak! She was an absolute joy to listen to!
ReplyDeleteOne thing that really resonated with me was that your priority has to be your people. The more the teachers feel supported, the more support the students will get. This will also help raise the EQ of students by modeling healthy adult relationships. The happier and more supported adults feel, the less stressors they may unintentionally bring into the classroom. I will continue to do my best to be present each day and intentionally make the effort to light up for each and every student that comes into my classroom.
One of the most important takeaways that I got from this video what that it's important to connect with individuals before you direct them. This goes such a long way in the counseling realm as we have to create that sense of security, trust, and safety with our students before we can direct them to help with any situation that they're going through. This will not only raise the EQ of the students, but also foster a better environment in the school as a whole. It can be easy for us as humans to get caught up in the hard times that we deal with, but having that reminder and importance of why we do the job that we do, can help establish that idea as we navigate our field in the years ahead.
ReplyDeleteWhat I found most meaningful in this video was the reminder that our light up really is our superpower. Dr. Carrington does a powerful job explaining that kids do not remember every strategy we teach or every consequence we give, but they always remember how they felt around us. The idea that our presence, energy, and authenticity can either invite connection or shut it down really stayed with me. This video was a good reminder that even on hard days, the way we show up matters more than being perfect or having the right words.
ReplyDeleteOne moment that stood out to me was her message that as long as we stay connected, we can survive hard things. That idea feels especially relevant in schools, where students are carrying stress, fear, or pain that we may not fully see. It reinforces the belief that connection does not remove hardship, but it gives students support. Knowing a caring adult is there, steady and supportive, can make difficult experiences feel less overwhelming.
The ideas in this video can help raise the EQ of students by modeling what emotional awareness and regulation look like in real time. When adults lead with calm, warmth, and connection, students learn that emotions are manageable and safe to talk about. By lighting up around students, noticing them, and responding with empathy instead of frustration, we teach them how to recognize emotions, build trust, and repair relationships. These moments help students feel seen and valued, which creates space for growth in self awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation. Ultimately, when students feel connected, their capacity to learn, reflect, and engage increases.
One of the things I will take from this video-- The hardest thing is that when hard things happen we all want to armor up and close people off.. but what we need to remember is that it is our connections that will help the most. It is hard to remember to keep the connections instead of shutting down and trying to figure it out by yourself.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote from the hockey coach I can get a kid to skate through a wall for me if I know the name of their dog. It is amazing to me how much kids are willing to try and figure out if you also put in the time to get to know them personally! There is so much they are able to do but they are not aware that they can. Using this will help each student reach their potential!
I have seen this when I have come into the classroom as a sub and have asked a student how dance class was the night before because I knew that she had dance because she dances at the same studio as my daughter. that girl completely LIT UP when I asked her a question about what she had done the night before without her having to tell me she did..
Everyone needs to know that they matter! --- I will take this with me and think about it when I meet everyone.
“All anyone wants to know, is that they matter.” I think this message is very powerful. When we are working with kids day in and day out and don’t know their situations outside of school, sometimes all it takes is giving them a smile to change the trajectory of their day. Or forming a genuine connection in some way—which would go back to the idea of asking meaningful questions, showing interest in them, letting them know pieces of your life. I think all students have something to bring to the table, so to speak, and sometimes need to be reminded of their uniqueness.
ReplyDeleteWhat, in this video, did you find most meaningful?
ReplyDeleteWhat I found most meaningful at the end besides the importance of connection is the importance of acknowledgment. I see what she is talking about throughout the halls. I see the power of connection and acknowledgement in my students every day. Letting them know that they are seen reminds them of their importance. They see that they matter. When we tale time to acknowledge people around us, I agree that we might just save a life!
"All anyone wants to know is to know they matter'. As a middle school teacher, I believe that not every student connection we make can be a positive one. I also believe that some of the more important connections we make with students are when we need to redirect them and give them consequences. It's not realistic that every 12 year old kid is going to be well-behaved all the time, so it's important to remember that when we are attempting to relate to students, we need to give ourselves room to ensure that we are able to administer discipline if needed.
ReplyDeleteI connected with this video in the way that she talks about coming from a small town where you are more connected. It is so true, I also grew up in a small town where everyone knew each other and now living in a much bigger city I don't feel as connected. I had to create my small circle of people that I have connected with and now feel more seen. I also agree with her statement about living in a different time where even our houses are of larger square footage and families don't spend time together. The houses are so big now that each family member could be in their own area and not have to interact with one another. Families have to schedule time together unlike the past when houses were smaller and you were literally crawling over each other. We have to be more intentional about filling those proverbial buckets to be able to give the best of ourselves.
ReplyDeleteWhat, in this video, did you find most meaningful? Elaborate.
ReplyDeleteI loved listening to Jody talk and relate it to Agricultural not only am I a teacher but I grew up on farm and I farm now with my husband/family. Something that really stuck with me from hearing Jody talk was that a lot of times in farming we aren't always optimistic or in education because there are SO many issues that come up. In both occupations you are working with real live people and real live animals you can't predict or even begin to predict what will happen when you are working with real living things. I need to do a better job of understanding that everyone is coming in to school with their Proverbial Bucket empty-my co-workers, my students, my students parents, and my own kids/family. We all just want to feel seen, valued, and connected to those around us. Jody made me realize that my smile is truly a super power and meeting the eyes of my co-workers and students anytime I see them using their name to say good morning etc. is a must. Especially in the hallway when it may only be the two of us to stop and meet their eyes and say hello even if I'm quickly trying to go to the bathroom or grab a copy. Next year, I'm going to be our elementary schools instructional coach-how crucial it will be for me to make a personal connection with my co-workers before they care what I know or want to work with me.
The thing that I found the most meaningful is the impact we can have on other's lives. In the video, Jody talks about how just showing up for someone can have an impact on an individual's life and could even save their life. Our world is struggling with mental health more than ever, but it also something that we talk about and acknowledge more. There was a time in our history that it just wasn't talked about, but it was there. People were ashamed and didn't want others to know that they needed help. Today, it is talked about and there are so many services available. I think it's important to constantly be educating people on the resources that are out there and that many of them you can be anonymous. Some individuals feel shame that they are struggle, but as a community, I think many of want to do whatever we can to help others. Our students are going through so much during this point in their life. Many of them have many responsibilities outside of school, but also have school to focus on. It can be overwhelming, but this is why educators can make such a big impact on students. We see them for many a day, most times more than their parents. If we can create a safe environment for them and they can feel comfortable talking to us, then that is success.
ReplyDeleteWhat I found most meaningful in this video is the idea that “everyone wants to know they matter.” This resonates deeply with me as an ECSE teacher because every interaction with a student, colleague, or family member is an opportunity to show them that they are seen, valued, and important. It reminds me that teaching isn’t just about academics—it’s about building relationships, fostering trust, and helping others feel that their presence and contributions truly matter.
ReplyDeleteThe most meaningful part to me was about the disconnection that exists now. That houses are too big, people don't acknowledge each other any more and how we need to reconnect. It brought a smile to my face when she talked about the one finger farmer wave, and playing cards with friends/neighbors. I still do the one finger wave and grew up playing cards with family and friends. I miss that connection that used to happen. People are too busy now with other things and there is a definite disconnect. I grew up with my cousins down the road, and now I may go years without seeing them. I miss "the good 'ol days"
ReplyDeleteOne of the most meaningful ideas in the video is Dr. Jody Carrington’s message about the power of acknowledgment. She explains that people don’t always need their problems fixed; they just need to feel seen and understood. When someone takes the time to listen and recognize how another person feels, it can make a big difference. Acknowledgment shows people that they matter and that they are not alone. Dr. Carrington also points out that this shouldn’t happen just once—it needs to happen often to build strong relationships. Overall, the video shows that simple actions like listening, noticing effort, and showing care can help people feel valued and supported.
ReplyDeleteI like how Dr. Carrington says that we all want to be acknowledged. She made a such a true statement when she said about when we drive today and people don't wave as we pass each other along the way. This is something that bothers my husband as we meet others along the road as he grew up this way. People are also feeling like bigger is better when it comes to our homes. It wasn't that long ago when our homes were smaller that we spent more time together. Today it seems like our families are so busy with schedules we don't sit down at the table to eat as a family like we used to when I was growing up. This is something I miss from when I was growing up. After listening to Dr. Carrington, she gave me some things to think about from when I was growing up to the present and what I wish we could go back to again.
ReplyDeleteThe most meaningful part of this video is when she said, "everyone wants to know that they matter." It's true! Even us as adults seek connection and meaninful relationships. What better way to model this than by showing our students, all of them, that they matter. We are in such a mental health crisis these days, that I truly believe if we focused more on connection and showing people that they matter, only then will mental health decline.
ReplyDeleteI like that she relates things back to small town, times in the older days, and agriculture. It's meaningful to me because I come from a small, agriculture town. And she makes many good points!
CONNECT BEFORE YOU CORRECT. This is sooooooo important. I see many teachers take the "slap the ruler on the desk" approach immediately off the bat- and usually kids do not take well to this type of extreme discipline/teaching. On the other hand if you build rapport first, the respect usually comes automatically. They also usually take constructive criticism better after rapport is built.
ReplyDeleteWe need to be connected. The world has changed in a way that makes it far to easy to stay disconnected from others. It's simple to be distracted from the outside world with technology taking up our down time. Since we aren't required to have as much face to face interaction anymore, we have lost our emotional language. Technology is an amazing tool but we need to understand and teach how to use it in combination with real human connection in our daily lives.
ReplyDelete"Connect before you direct." That is one thing I take pride in is getting to the know the students. I am just a substitute teacher, but it makes me smile when I get the call and they say "we need you in this classroom because some subs have had some problems with handling the students and we know you can connect with them..." LOVE THAT! Yes, yes I can! Students want to know you care! Show them you care and the respect will follow.
ReplyDeleteI was raised in a small town. A lot of Jody was saying, resinates in me. I grew up on a farm, we didn't go into town every day, besides going to school. We spent a lot of time together as a family growing up in our small farm home. I always felt a connection to my parents and my three brothers. I also grew up in a time without many devices. We had a telephone with a cord, and couldn't call long distance. We spent time talking with one another over three meals, working, and playing with one another. My boys also grew up somewhat the same. They spent most days after school playing outside until dark. I am thankful for these experiences. These experiences have helped me form the connections that I have had with people.
ReplyDeleteThe most meaningful thing from this video to me was the importance of connection. Anyone from a small town will understand Jody's feeling of being seen in a small town. Everyone knows you, you wave at people you know and you feel connected. I think we can build this community in our classroom and help students who may not feel seen or feel important at home, fell like a part of a classroom community. It is definitely true that people are less connected now. Fewer people join community events, fewer kids are going out for sports, adults don't get together to play cards or join a softball team as much. Re-establishing these connections could do wonders for us as a nation and as communities.
ReplyDelete"When you feel acknowledged you rise." This stood out the most for me, because I can see this every day in my special education classroom. When students walk through my classroom I always make sure to acknowledge them in some way. Almost always you can see a difference in their posture, walk and nonverbal communication. just being seen can change their day. One way I want to do better throughout my day is giving that acknowledgment to my paraprofessionals. It truly does help others rise when even the little things are acknowledged.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I was reminded of the importance of being “seen.” Call me “Old Fashioned,” but I really feel that the implementation of technology has really driven a wedge between us. Technology was sold to us as something that will “make life easier,” but has it really done that? In my opinion, no-it’s created an environment where we don’t get challenged as much and when we are challenged, we talk to each other as we use the beautiful brains we were born with. Families don’t sit down for dinner anymore and when you see people outside their houses, whether eating or walking, their faces are glued to their screens. I love how Jody is pointing out the need for more personal interactions-the exchanging of words and eye contact. There needs to be more verbal and physical recognition, both with those we know and those we don’t know. I’m grateful to have had a wonderful father that was very social-he’d talk to anybody. I’m the same way and I feel these skills really help me as a teacher. In 2021, I moved to a small town in South Dakota not knowing anyone. One of the first things I did was go down to the VFW and introduce myself to the veterans there. That experience helped me to connect to others in the community and soon after, I became involved with a church, the high school, and several groups here in my town. I look forward to the future interactions I’ll be having with all the amazing people I’ve become close to since I moved here.
ReplyDeleteWhen I watched the video, I wrote down four words that really hit home with me. Connection, acknowledge, engage, and relationships. When working with students, I need to work on these four words everyday. I want students to know that I value them and I want them to know that they matter and are very important to me and the school. All aspects of their lives are important and I need to give them my undivided attention when they are talking to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat, in this video, did you find most meaningful? Elaborate.
ReplyDelete"When you are acknowledged, you rise". This was a powerful statement to me, because it tells us that students want to be seen and heard. They really want to know that we care about them and that we see them. Making a connection or having a conversation with every student, I think is so important. Finding something that you can talk with them about that they care about help them know that you are listening to them and that you value them.
What, in this video, did you find most meaningful? Elaborate.
ReplyDeleteBeing "acknowledged" is something that I feel is lacking. Technology takes away the face to face communication and what I see with students is that they crave having a conversation. They want to talk about the things that make them happy or that they achieved. I feel like with the amount of technology that is in homes now days, the more meaningful conversations don't happen as often. When they come to school they just want time to talk about themselves, which I try my best to allow that time before getting to things that we need to talk about. The students that I have met with, know my routine and they know when I skip the starting part of tell me about what you did over the weekend or after school. They miss that and they remind me very quickly.
The video highlights how being noticed by others changes a person's outlook. Dr. Jody Carrington explains that simple gestures, like a firm handshake with eye contact or a wave to a neighbor, are often overlooked but essential for mental well-being. She says that as modern life becomes more isolated, people frequently start their day feeling drained, making these small moments of recognition even more impactful. By taking a second to offer a genuine compliment or a simple nod, you can help someone feel less alone and more capable of handling their responsibilities. Her message is a reminder that looking people in the eye and acknowledging their presence is one of the most effective ways to support those around you.
ReplyDeleteWhat, in this video, did you find most meaningful? Elaborate.
ReplyDeleteThe thing I took away most from this video was the value and importance in acknowledging and affirming people. The speaker said you just don't know these days if your comment will totally turn around someones day, week or month around. The power of kindness is so important. People want to know they matter and words of affirmation are so important.
I also valued how she talked about how disconnected the world has become with our bigger houses, technology, texting versus talking etc. It is important that we take time to truly communicate with each other.
What, in this video, did you find most meaningful? Elaborate.
ReplyDelete"When we are acknowledged, we rise." We see people every day, but how many people feel unseen? Being intentional about how we interact with others is key. Even in the small things I can tell when a student feels bolstered by something positive someone says to them.
I sometimes wonder about what it's like when a child goes home. Some conversations make me think that there could be more interaction, more connection, more conversation.
What stood out most to me in this video was the idea that acknowledgment is a simple yet powerful way to create connection. In a world where many people feel increasingly disconnected, small actions like a wave, eye contact, or a kind comment can significantly influence how someone feels and how they show up each day.
ReplyDeleteI found it especially powerful that when someone is acknowledged, they “rise.” That shifted my thinking about everyday interactions and reminded me that even brief moments of recognition can build confidence and a sense of belonging. The concept of people arriving with an “empty bucket” also stood out to me. It emphasizes how important it is to be intentional about filling others up through small, consistent acts of connection.
As a teacher and coach, this is a strong reminder that my impact often comes in small moments, noticing students, offering encouragement, and being intentional about helping people feel seen in the day-to-day interactions.
Don't underestimate the power of connection to do the next best right thing, even if it is just a wave, a head nod or giving someone a compliment. You might not just change a life; you might save a life that day. It truly is mind-blowing to think that by acknowledging an individual, you could save that person from feeling an overwhelming sense of aloneness and challenge them to think twice about making a permanent solution to temporary problem. This is a good reminder to just be kind and give others just a second to connect, it could be more meaningful than you know.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most meaningful parts for me was her focus on the importance of connection. As a teacher, it really stood out to me that before students can learn, they need to feel seen, safe, and valued. In a smaller school, relationships are everything, and taking time to truly know each student makes a big difference. It reminded me to make sure I'm relating to my students by greeting them each day, and to make sure they know I care about them not just as learners, but as people. I need to spend time talking to my students about things that interest them outside of school.
ReplyDelete