Roberto Germán [00:00:01]:
Welcome to Our Classroom. In this space, we talk about education, which is inclusive of, but not limited to, what happens in schools. Education is taking place whenever and wherever we are willing to learn. I am your host, Roberto Germán, and Our Classroom is officially in session.
Roberto Germán [00:00:27]:
Welcome back to Our Classroom. It's that time of year again, people. Across the country, teachers are setting up classrooms, printing seating charts, hanging bulletin boards up, renewing class lists, and wondering if they're really ready for another school year. But here we are. That's an energy that comes with August. There's hope, there's excitement, maybe a little bit of anxiety. Let's be honest. And yet it's a fresh start.
Roberto Germán [00:00:59]:
And while I've been thinking about the beginning of another school year, I've realized something. The first week of school isn't primarily about procedures, it's about possibilities. Yes, students need to know where to sit, they need to know how to turn in assignments, they need to understand routines and expectations, but long after they've forgotten your syllabus, they'll remember how your classroom made them feel. That's why I want to spend today's episode thinking about— well, I want to think less about procedures and more about the questions that shape a school year. Not questions for students, rather questions for us, because the questions we carry into the year often determine the kind of classroom we build. What will students learn about themselves In my classroom. Every classroom teacher, every classroom teaches more than academic content, right? Like, we as educators, we're offering more than simply subjects. Students, they don't just Learn math or reading or science.
Roberto Germán [00:02:26]:
They learn about themselves. Some classrooms teach students, I'm smart. Others teach, I'm behind. Some classrooms teach, my ideas matter. Others teach, keep your thoughts to yourself. The question isn't whether your classroom teaches students about themselves. It does. The question is, what is it teaching? Will students leave believing they're capable? Will they lead with curiosity? Will creativity be inspired? Will they feel valued? Or will they leave believing school simply isn't for them? That doesn't happen by accident.
Roberto Germán [00:03:18]:
It happens through the small moments. The way we greet students. You know what I'm saying? Handshake, high five, hug. The books that we choose and those that we don't choose. The examples that we use. The questions we ask. The way we respond when students struggle. Everything communicates.
Roberto Germán [00:03:46]:
Second question for us to consider is what stories are students carrying into the school year? Every student walks through our doors carrying a story. I've shared this with you before. Some are excited, others are terrified. Some had an incredible summer, others experienced loss. Some welcomed a new sibling. Some moved, some immigrated, some learned a new language. Some are wondering if they'll make a friend. They're nervous, they're anxious.
Roberto Germán [00:04:22]:
Some are wondering if this teacher will see them. We rarely know those stories on day one, but we don't have to know every detail to teach with compassion. Sometimes simply remembering that every student carries a story changes how we respond. It reminds us that behavior isn't the whole story. Silence isn't the whole story. Confidence isn't the whole story. There's always more beneath the surface. The 3rd question for us to consider: how will students know they belong here? Belonging isn't created by a poster that says everyone is welcome.
Roberto Germán [00:05:06]:
Students experience, they experience belonging, or they don't. They experience it when someone learns to pronounce their name. Say my name, say my name. When their language is welcomed, when their culture isn't treated like an add-on, When their questions matter, when they see themselves reflected in the curriculum, that's a big one, isn't it? When they're invited to contribute, not just consume, right? We need to snap out of the consumer model. Belonging isn't something we announce, it's something we build every day. 4th question for our consideration. What kind of community are we creating together? Notice I didn't ask, what kind of classroom am I creating? Because classrooms don't belong to teachers alone. They're communities, communities where every person shapes the experience.
Roberto Germán [00:06:18]:
Sometimes we unintentionally create classrooms centered on compliance. And students learn to follow directions. If that's what you're looking for, well, good luck. It's gonna be a long year. You know, they'll raise their hands, they'll complete assignments. Again, those things matter, but compliance alone doesn't create community. Community grows through trust, shared responsibility, leading with curiosity, practicing active listening, demonstrating grace, and nurturing relationships. The question isn't simply, are my students following expectations? It's, are we becoming the kind of community where people care For one another.
Roberto Germán [00:07:20]:
5th question: What do I hope students remember? Years from now, students probably won't remember your lesson on commas or the worksheet you spent an hour creating, but they may remember the teacher who believed in them, the book That changed how they saw the world. I have books playing in my mind right now. Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston. Lord of the Flies. A Separate Peace. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou. Oh, I can go on. Yes, these were the books that I read in high school.
Roberto Germán [00:08:09]:
Still have them etched in my memory. What books, what curriculum, what lessons, what example would you say? Listen, the classroom discussion that makes the students feel heard, that's going to resonate with them years later. The moment someone finally pronounced their name correctly, Me, Roberto Germán. And all the time people say, Roberto German? No, I literally just said my name is Roberto Germán. Say my name, say my name. The students are going to remember the project that connected school to their real life. These type of moments are enduring moments. As educators, we spend so much time thinking about what students need to know.
Roberto Germán [00:09:08]:
Maybe we should spend just as much time thinking about what we hope they'll remember, because that's often where transformation begins. As you prepare for another school year, I hope you organize your classroom and you print your lesson plans and review the standards. Do all of those things, 'cause they matter. But don't forget to prepare your heart too. Lead with love, 'cause every August we have an opportunity, and September for those of you that start a little bit later. And the opportunity is not simply to teach another group of students, but to become the kind of educator who helps students discover who they are, what they have to offer, and why they belong. So before your students walk through your classroom door, take a moment and ask yourself, what kind of story will this classroom tell? Not just about your subject, but about your students. Because long after they've forgotten what you taught, they'll remember how you helped them see.
Roberto Germán [00:10:27]:
Themselves.
Roberto Germán [00:10:29]:
Thanks for joining for another episode of Our Classroom, my people. And if this conversation encouraged you, go ahead, pass it along, share it with another educator, email it to your whole faculty and staff. Do that thing, do that thing. As you're preparing for the new school year, let this be a quick little reflection. And if you're looking to build a classroom where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered, I'd love to continue the conversation with you, but until next time, teach the truth, lead with courage, belong to a community that gets it.
Roberto Germán [00:11:04]:
As always, your engagement in Our Classroom is greatly appreciated. Be sure to subscribe, rate the show, and write a review. Finally, for resources to help you understand the intersection of race, bias, education, and society, go to multiculturalclassroom.com. Peace and love from your host, Roberto German.
