Kids are like ATM's. If we don't make deposits, it is hard to make a withdrawal. These words are at the bottom of my signature on every email I send. I made them part of my signature line because I believe in the message they deliver.
I believe in the power of affirmation and I believe every student will perform better when they are praised. I realize sometimes this can be hard but when deposits are made early in the school year, withdrawals will be easier. Hence, the similarity of the ATM machine, it's hard to withdrawal money if you haven't ever made a deposit.
This is something we strive to accomplish at HHS. We want to make deposits in students by celebrating successes early and often. A pat on the back, job well done, I knew you could do it, the positive phone call home, or perhaps Student of the Week to name a few.
I learned this lesson early in my career when I phoned a parent about their child making an A on a test I had given. I remember the reaction from the parent as they answered the phone: "What has my son done now?" This parent had only received negative phone calls "withdrawals" from teachers at school, never a positive phone call "deposit". I told the mother that her son had just made an A on a test and I wanted to brag on him. I was proud of his accomplishment and I thought the parent should know. Needless to say the mother started crying on the phone because someone had taken the time to make a deposit in her son not just withdrawals.
Making deposits through encouragement, sincerity, and kindness can have a positive effect on students. This can lead to a positive school climate that can spread to others throughout the school. Students will always remember how they were treated more than what they learned in class. Think about it, when you reflect on a favorite teacher, they were not your favorite for what subject they taught but how they taught you. How they made you feel or treated you is why they are burned into your memory as a favorite teacher. Jon Gordon said, "The best educators stand out by showing their students that they care about them."
So, I encourage educators to start the school year off by focusing on the kids and making deposits in your students early and often. Then if you must make a withdrawal the student will be more compliant because they know you care about them. I hope you have a great school year and the ATM machine stays full. J
