Episode Details

This midweek solo episode is Jethro Jones on gratitude in schools. While substituting for a teacher at his school, he thanked every student for being there as he took roll. His challenge to you: find a chance to thank students, and mean it.

Jones says every student smiled, even the ones who did not want to be acknowledged, and some asked if he would do it for everyone. The hard part was sounding genuine. He admits that many days go by when he does not tell as many students and teachers as he can that he is glad they are here.

What you'll learn

• Thank each student for being there when you call their name, and say it so it sounds genuine.
• Ask yourself what you are doing so the students and teachers you work with feel your gratitude, care and support.
• Remember you are in the job to serve others, and let people hear your gratitude.

Chapters

• 0:00 Substituting in a class and loving the job
• 2:33 Thanking every student for being there
• 4:22 Your challenge: thank people and mean it

Times are for the episode without ads. Your player may be off by the length of any ads.

Questions this episode answers

How can I show students that I care about them?
Jones says that while substituting he told every student, thank you for being here, I'm glad you're here, thanks for choosing to come to school today. Every student smiled, even those who did not want to be acknowledged. The hard part, he says, was sounding genuine, because he was.

Do you need to know the subject to be a good teacher?
Jones substituted for a math teacher at his school. He says good teaching can be done by anyone in any subject area, and you don't need to know the subject to be a good teacher. Great teachers inspire and motivate kids, he says, because it all starts with relationships.

Working on this at your school? Get a free preview of a 10-week leadership pathway built from episodes like this one at transformativeprincipal.com/start.

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