Finding Joy in Your Work – Creating a Positive Classroom Community
Written by Abena Sey
September 6, 2025
Welcome back to another school year! The beginning of the school year is an exciting time for you and your students because it represents a fresh start and a renewed sense of purpose and hope. It is also an opportunity for you to create a learning environment that will support your students and help you thrive as an educator. The encouraging classroom is one that is positive, responsive and welcoming to all students. Students can feel appreciated and a sense of belonging because of the positive classroom community you create and this drives learning forward. Your positive classroom community begins with the intentional steps that you take to start off on the right note. Below are some steps that you can take to achieve this professional goal and ultimately find joy in your work.
Set the tone - be the example for your students in your behaviour towards them. Encourage students to treat one another respectfully by setting expectations and norms that facilitate such behaviours. Continue to remind your students about respectful treatment and take the time to address even the smallest incidences of disrespect. This will communicate to students that mistreatment will not be tolerated and that it takes the whole class to commit to values that uphold respect.
Get to know your students - acknowledge each learner’s unique experience, perspective and contribution to the class. Pay attention when they are sharing and reflect and comment on what they have said. Use the opportunity to recognize and share with the class what you have learned based on what the student has shared and how students can also learn from their classmate. Be a good listener and be supportive.
Be prepared - this includes your lesson planning, learning activities, communication of assignment deadlines, ways that you manage and share resources with students and how you can be reached. Each day, spend some time reflecting on each lesson, learning activity and interaction with your students and amongst themselves. Think about ways that you can make adjustments as needed, and consider making goals to maximize on what is working well.
Stay organized - create a schedule that will help you stay on top of your priorities. Time block work periods and periods for rest. Manage your files in a logical manner, utilizing tools that can help you stay organized. Write things down - make lists, devise action steps and track your progress. Use a calendar, planner or other stationery to help you organize. Create systems to help you manage your workflow and paperwork.
Goal setting is key - set learning goals with your students and keep each other accountable. Pay attention to what students need and design your curriculum to support their learning goals. Create professional and personal goals for yourself, too. Set intentions for the month, term, unit and school year and plan accordingly. Goals require action steps and measurable outcomes. In setting your goals, plan how you will work towards them and what achievement looks like in a reasonable amount of time.
Maintain your personal health - Stay on top of your health and well being by setting wellness goals. Look for ways to have a more balanced schedule and give yourself grace. Stay hydrated and incorporate movement into your routine. Spend time on reflection and rejuvenation through your faith and personal meditative practices.
I wish you a successful school year! I plan to use each of these steps to maintain joy in my work as an educator. I’ll keep you posted on how things are going with my students and I.