Every afternoon at Rex Elementary in Haysville, Kansas, Tyler Richards’first graders wrap up their day by shouting things like“I am kind!”and“I can do hard things!”It’s a daily affirmation ritual the teacher started to send his students home feeling safe, positive, and capable, and it’s become the most anticipated moment of the day.
The idea didn’t stay in one classroom. Teachers across multiple grade levels have adopted their own versions of the routine, and Principal Shane Paulus says the affirmations help students feel loved, appreciated, and welcomed. Perhaps the biggest sign it’s working: the kids are coming up with their own suggestions for how to keep the practice going, which shows the message is genuinely sticking.
No budget, no technology, no complicated lesson plan. Just a few seconds of self-belief before the bell rings, and a school community that decided to build on a good idea. What’s the one affirmation you’d want the kids in your life to hear every day?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.