Your Attitude is the Lesson
However long you think the lesson will be, it will rarely turn out that way. But the one thing you can always control is the energy you bring into the room. Your attitude going into a class will set the tone for the entire period. Learning occurs best in an environment that contains positive interpersonal relationships, and teachers have a tremendous power to shape their students’ behaviors by the way they treat them. Your personality for that day sets the tone for everything that happens next.
I’ve had days where I walked into the classroom feeling tired and stressed, and without a word, the whole class seemed to pick up on it. The energy felt low, the students were quiet, and the discussion was dry. It felt like pulling teeth just to get a few hands up. Then there are the days I walk in genuinely excited to be there, and it’s like a different class entirely. The students are more engaged, their questions are more insightful, and the whole atmosphere is alive. A very serious instructor who acts very serious will establish a very serious classroom. Someone that is excited to teach a topic will have more excited, engaged students. If you are having fun and act like it in the class, the students will respond with more engagement into the subject area and better discussions in the class.
The Sales Pitch Mentality
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this, and the best analogy I can come up with is sales. Before a big meeting with a client, a great salesperson gets themselves psyched up. They might listen to a specific song, do a few push-ups, or just spend a few minutes in a quiet room, mentally rehearsing and preparing themselves to be on. Why? Because they know that their energy and enthusiasm can be the difference between closing a deal and walking away empty-handed. An excited, engaging salesperson has a better chance of selling something. Teaching is no different.
You are selling your students on the value of the knowledge you’re sharing. You’re selling them on the importance of the subject matter and the excitement of learning something new. If you don’t seem like you’re interested in your own product, why would they be? So, you need to prepare yourself to meet and work with your clients—your students—to help them “buy into” the lesson.
You can listen to music, do stretching exercises, or whatever you need to do in order to get yourself ready to teach. Show up to class with a positive attitude. This isn’t about being a fake, overly-enthusiastic caricature of a teacher. It’s about finding that core excitement for your subject and letting it show. If you love history, let your passion for it come through when you talk about ancient civilizations. If you’re a math teacher, share the “aha!” moments that still thrill you. This genuine passion is infectious and can make even the most reluctant student lean forward in their seat.
Leave Your Baggage at the Door
The wrong attitude in class can be contagious and poison a class period. You hope that your students don’t let things outside the classroom affect their effort inside the classroom. Likewise, you should not let things outside of the classroom affect your attitude within the classroom. This is probably the hardest part of being a teacher. We all have bad days. Maybe you had a tough conversation with a family member, or you’re dealing with car trouble, or you didn’t get enough sleep. But the moment you walk through that classroom door, you have to be able to leave that baggage behind.
I remember one time I was incredibly frustrated with something going on in my personal life. I walked into class and could feel the tension in my shoulders. I was shorter with my answers, less patient with questions, and didn’t even realize how much my mood was affecting the class until a student asked, “Are you okay, Mr. [Your Name]?” That simple question hit me like a ton of bricks. It made me realize that my personal struggles were spilling over and affecting the one place where I’m supposed to be a leader and a positive force.
For some of your students, the classroom is the brightest part of their otherwise hard life. They might be dealing with difficult situations at home, struggling with self-doubt, or facing challenges you couldn’t even imagine. Education is their hope and dream for a better life. When they walk into your classroom, they are looking for a sanctuary—a place of stability, consistency, and encouragement. A positive attitude from the instructor sets a positive tone for the class and provides a classroom environment conducive to learning.
This is a professional obligation, but it’s also a moral one. You have the power to create a space that is nurturing, safe, and positive. You might be the only positive role model some of your students see all day. When you put on your “teacher face,” you’re not being inauthentic; you’re being a professional. You are providing a service that is bigger than your own feelings on any given day. You are providing hope, and that starts with your attitude. It’s a challenge, but it’s the most important part of the job.