Creating a Classroom Community

A Teacher's Simple Strategy That Changed 30 Lives Every Morning Ever wondered how one small gesture can transform an entire classroom's energy? Let me share a powerful thing that's reshaping how we think about starting our school days. Here's how it works: Each student gets to choose their preferred way to start the day: - A gentle high-five - A quick hug - A friendly fist bump - A simple smile and nod - A quiet "good morning" The results? Remarkable. Students who once dragged themselves to class now arrive early, excited to make their choice. Anxiety levels dropped.  Class participation soared.  Even the most reserved students found their comfortable way to connect. What makes this approach powerful is its simplicity. It: - Respects personal boundaries - Builds trust - Creates a safe space - Teaches emotional awareness - Promotes daily positive interactions This isn't just about starting the day right – it's about teaching our children that their comfort matters, their choices count, and their well-being is priority. What if we all took a moment each day to ask others how they'd like to be greeted? Sometimes, the smallest changes create the biggest impact. #Education #TeachingInnovation #StudentWellbeing #ClassroomCulture #PersonalizedLearning

Do you read your student evaluations? I do, and here is how it went. It is New Year’s Day, and I'm reading through student evaluations from my Fall 2024 Principles of Macroeconomics course: ninety students, one semester, countless interactions - all distilled into numbers and comments. But, between the 4.76/5.0 ratings and paragraphs of feedback, I see more than statistics. I see stories. When I walked into that classroom, I saw more than just students—I saw lives shaped by economic forces they were beginning to understand. One student worked two jobs while studying, another worried about student debt, and the other’s family ran a small business struggling with inflation. These weren't just theoretical concepts in textbooks. They were personal realities. "Economics isn't just graphs and equations," I told them on day one. "It's personal! It’s your morning coffee purchase, a weekend job, and career dreams. Whether you notice it or not, it's everywhere in your life." I created space for their stories. When discussing unemployment, one student shared her job search experiences. During our inflation lesson, another described how her job adjusted business prices. These weren't interruptions—they were the curriculum coming alive. But sharing requires trust. Students needed to know they could be uncertain, could question, and could bring their whole selves to class. So I built that trust, day by day. There was no judgment when someone was confused. No dismissal of any question. Just open dialogue and mutual respect. The same philosophy extended beyond the classroom. One student said, "Dr. A provided office hours but without reason. Most office hours for other professors feel like you need a reason to be there... He provided you the space to be unsure of being unsure." These sessions became more than just tutoring—they were spaces where students could work through ideas, share concerns, or find support in their learning journey. The results speak through their words: "He made sure even the shyest voices were heard."  "He connected everything to our real lives." Ultimately, teaching economics isn't about perfect graphs or memorized definitions. It's about helping students see their place in the economic story and giving them the confidence to shape that story themselves. The numbers validated this approach. Out of 87 students, 33 responded to the evaluation. They gave the course a 4.76/5.0 for maintaining a respectful atmosphere, 4.67/5.0 for clear learning expectations, and 4.48/5.0 for improving understanding through course activities. But most tellingly, when asked what helped them learn, students consistently mentioned the engaging discussions, real-world connections, and supportive environment. One student summed it up perfectly: "Absolutely nothing. He has made this class to perfection, and I honestly wish I could take it again." To my students, thank you for a great semester and your feedback. #highereducation #Teachingevaluations

Here’s a simple tool that’s changed my life and the lives of many of my clients: It’s called Non Violent Communication (NVC) NVC is a way of resolving conflict with mutually satisfying solutions. It’s great for business leaders since hard conversations are par for the course. But it’s also great for personal relationships as well. Here’s the simple 3-step strategy to NVC: 1 - The Fact Begin with an indisputable observation. For example: “When you said you didn’t want to go on a trip with me…” You want to describe the situation in a purely objective way that no one can argue with. 2 - Your Feelings Next, share how you felt. “When ___ happened, I felt ___.” This invites your conversation partner into a dialogue about how the situation impacted you. It demonstrates that you’re opening up, being vulnerable, and not arguing for the sake of ‘winning’. 3 - The Request: Conclude with a request that would resolve your unmet need. “My request is that you are on time for our meetings going forward.” Framing this as a request and not a demand makes the conversation a cooperative one. That’s it! It’s an incredibly simple foundation that takes a lot of time and effort to master, especially in the heat of an argument. Give it a shot — practice makes perfect.

Yesterday, a student in my class candidly shared with me some of their go-to AI resources. That openness was a big moment for me—not because of the tools themselves, but because it showed me that they felt comfortable enough to talk freely about how they’re using AI in their work. It’s a sign that the trust we’ve been building in the classroom is paying off. When students start sharing how they’re leveraging AI without hesitation, you know the atmosphere you’ve created supports real learning and growth. Trust is the cornerstone of effective AI integration. Here are five ways I’ve worked to cultivate that trust: Be Transparent About AI’s Role: I’m upfront about how AI fits into our learning goals. I set clear guidelines but also explain the reasoning behind them, so students see AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement for their thinking. Show Vulnerability: I let students know that I’m also figuring things out as we go. By being honest about the learning curve I’m experiencing, I encourage them to be open about their own challenges and discoveries. Encourage Real-Time Conversations: When students mention how they’ve used AI, I don’t just nod and move on—I dive in. We talk through what worked, what didn’t, and how they approached it. This normalizes AI use and turns it into a shared learning experience. Celebrate Their Process: Whether they successfully apply AI or run into challenges, I make sure to recognize their efforts. This reinforces that AI is a tool for growth and experimentation, not just a quick fix. Model Responsible AI Use: I regularly demonstrate how I incorporate AI in my own work. When students see me using AI thoughtfully, they’re more likely to adopt similar practices, knowing that the tools have a real, practical role in our classroom. In the end, trust allows AI to become more than just another tool—it becomes part of a larger dialogue about learning, creativity, and innovation. And when students trust the process, they engage with AI more confidently and effectively. Amanda Bickerstaff Aco Momcilovic Brian Schoch Christina B. 👨🏫🤖 "Dr. Greg" Loughnane Goutham Kurra Iulia Nandrea Mike Kentz Michael Spencer Milly Snelling Anna Mills David H.

Over time, my approach to teaching graduate classes has shifted towards creating an environment where students act more like a group of consultants tackling real-world, data-driven problems. Instead of simply following theoretical frameworks, students now dive into real-life datasets, analyze trends, and craft creative solutions. This hands-on method encourages them to think critically and out of the box—steering away from the temptation of copy-pasting from AI tools like ChatGPT. The focus isn’t just on solving problems; it’s about viewing challenges from different perspectives. By engaging with diverse datasets, students learn to approach problems with fresh eyes, ensuring a deeper retention of knowledge. It also makes the learning process more interactive and fun! This week, we focused on conducting data-driven SWOT analyses. Students worked in teams, using multiple datasets to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Along the way, they developed their soft skills, learned the value of collaboration, and strengthened their ability to work effectively in groups. This approach not only prepares students for real-world consulting roles but also equips them with the skills to think critically, collaborate, and adapt to a rapidly evolving business landscape. #DataDrivenLearning #ConsultingSkills #RealWorldProblems #GraduateEducation #CriticalThinking #OutOfTheBox #SWOTAnalysis #SoftSkillsDevelopment #CollaborativeLearning #FunInTheClassroom #BusinessEducation #InnovationInTeaching #HigherEd

Handling conflict as a leader isn't always easy, but it is necessary to address immediately. The stakes are often high, and emotions can run even higher. Here are some mistakes I've seen made in conflict mediation, and trust me, I’ve had to learn some of these lessons the hard way. Firstly, taking sides is a big mistake. It may be natural to sympathize with one party, especially if they're more articulate or if their story hits first. But appearing biased can torpedo the mediation process. It's crucial to maintain neutrality, or you risk losing the trust of one or both parties. I've seen it happen, and it's not pretty. The key is to be empathetic but impartial. Listen carefully to both sides and withhold judgment. Secondly, not listening to understand but to respond. It’s easy to want to jump in with a solution when you hear the first piece of a problem. But doing so can rob the parties involved of the chance to fully express themselves. If people don't feel heard, they're less likely to participate constructively. You have to let everyone get their entire perspective out on the table. Often, I ask probing questions to make sure I'm not missing any underlying issues. The goal is to make everyone feel heard and understood. Another mistake is rushing towards a solution. It might be tempting to quickly put an end to the conflict and move on, but this usually means imposing your solution. The best resolutions are those that the conflicting parties arrive at themselves, which takes time. I encourage open dialogue and guide the conversation towards mutual agreement, instead of imposing my idea of what’s right. This means asking open-ended questions and facilitating, rather than dictating, the discussion. Failure to set ground rules is another setback. At the start, I always lay down some basics. No interrupting, no name-calling and so on. Everyone needs to know the boundaries and expectations to keep things respectful and productive. Lastly, forgetting to follow up is a big mistake. After you've reached a resolution, it’s important to check back in with both parties after a certain period. This shows you're committed to a long-term solution, not just putting out fires. Also, keep in mind that sometimes people just need to vent... before going into full blown problem-solving mode. When I get conflict mediation right, it’s incredibly rewarding. Teams come out stronger, individuals feel heard, and as a leader, I’ve helped foster a more positive work environment. It’s not just about solving a problem... it's about setting a standard for how conflicts should be resolved moving forward. I hope everyone has a Safe, Positive and Productive Day!

The best way to teach brainstorming? Let students brainstorm your teaching approach. Today, our design thinking class at the University of Kentucky, TEK 300, "Teens and Screens," reached a pivotal moment. With midterms behind us and spring break over, we faced a critical question: How might we structure the remaining weeks to promote deeper understanding rather than just blasting through the steps of our semester-long project? Instead of deciding for our students, we chose to "eat our own dog food"(as they used to say at Apple). (HT Reinhold Steinbeck, charles kerns) We turned our students into users and co-designers through a structured brainwriting session focused on this challenge. The process was beautifully simple: • Students received worksheets with our "How Might We" question and a 3×5 grid • Everyone silently wrote initial ideas (one per box) in the first row • Sheets rotated three times, with each person building on or adding to previous ideas • We ended with a gallery walk and dot-voting to identify the strongest concepts In just 20 minutes, we generated over 50 unique ideas! The winner? Incorporating hands-on, interactive activities in every session that directly connect to that day's learning objectives. The meta-realization? We were already practicing the solution before formally adopting it. The brainwriting exercise itself exemplified exactly what our students told us they wanted more of. My teaching partner Ryan Hargrove immediately began storyboarding how we'll implement this approach, moving us closer to the collaborative learning journey we want to have with our students. We're moving from "Once upon a time..." (not as great as we could be...) to "Students designed..." (active participation), to "Now we really dig learning all this..." Your students already know what they need; your job is to create space for them to tell you. P.S. What teaching approaches have you transformed by inviting your students to become co-designers of their learning experience? #DesignThinking #HigherEducation #TeachingInnovation #BuildingInPublic #StudentCenteredLearning

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐈 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 - 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐦. As leaders, we sit in the splash zone of personality, philosophy, & workflow clashes. Each conflict is nuanced with no singular way to resolve. ‘What would Mom do?’ flashes through my head in work & life when conflict arises because over time, I realized I’d subconsciously absorbed a playbook from my mom that has served me well. Let me tell you a story to introduce it in a practical sense: As one of the few Indian kids in my California school, I was ridiculed for my ‘smelly’ lunches. To avoid this conflict, I’d dump my lunch in the trash every day. Hunger was seemingly better than ridicule. Well, a mother’s intuition is powerful. My mom noticed my lower energy & daily empty lunch box with no leftovers. She quietly came to school, observed me from a distance, and saw me trash my lunch before sitting with classmates. The teachers hadn’t noticed this behavior, & no one gave her any specific insight. That evening, she casually asked what could improve in my lunches, eventually drawing out that the ‘smell’ bothered everyone around me. She never once let on what she had observed or put me on the defensive. Within a week, her next move changed the conversation about ‘smelly’ Indian food in my school. With support from the teachers, & with consent of parents, she prepared a family style lunch for the class. She chose to be inclusive, give every kid the choice to try it for themselves, and explained each dish with a fun name and some stories. That smelly lunch was a hit! From that day on, the lunch hate stopped; classmates desired to share my lunch, & Mom got calls from parents asking for recipes. She knew this situation was resolved. Love you Mom! This simple story highlights a playbook I drew from watching her manage conflict over the years: 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲. Develop & maintain high EQ to realize something is wrong even when signals are weak, before conflict snowballs into something major. 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲. Ask questions, listen actively, & seek information that helps to diagnose root causes without assigning blame or shame. 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬. Train your mind to be open when evaluating differing opinions, incentives, & viewpoints even if they don’t align with your own. 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞. Create inclusive dialogue & experiences that offer people involved in the conflict a chance to see an alternative viewpoint. 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲. Move fast, involve stakeholders, & get help in resolving conflict where required. Follow-up, learn, and adjust. Of course, safety & power dynamics matter, and sometimes you don’t have a choice but to escalate a conflict for tougher and faster resolution outcomes. What’s your go-to ‘mom move’ in tough moments? #ConflictResolution #Leadership #Management

Implementing discussion strategies in the classroom enhances critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills, fostering a dynamic learning environment where students feel valued and engaged. When students actively participate in discussions, they develop deeper comprehension, learn to articulate their thoughts clearly, and build social-emotional skills that support respectful dialogue. To make discussions fun and engaging, consider interactive methods like Think-Pair-Share, where students first reflect independently, discuss with a partner, and then share with the class this structure builds confidence while encouraging participation. Storytelling circles allow students to contribute imaginative twists to a collective narrative, making learning feel like an adventure. Using games like “Would You Rather?” or mystery debates where students defend surprising viewpoints motivates children to express their ideas in a lively, playful way. Role-playing activities, like having students take on characters from history or literature, immerse them in learning while strengthening their ability to present and justify perspectives. By weaving movement, creativity, and social connection into discussions, educators can cultivate an atmosphere where every student is excited to share their voice.