Teaching is an emotionally demanding profession. Every day, you’re faced with a myriad of challenges, from managing classroom dynamics to meeting the diverse needs of your students. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of the day forgetting to check in with the most important person in the room: YOU.

I get it. As teachers, our schedules are packed. There’s curriculum to cover, tests to prepare for, and a hundred other things on our plates. It’s easy to feel like there’s just not enough time in the day to focus on anything beyond the essentials. But here’s the shift I want to encourage you to make: don’t think of connecting with your students as taking time away from your responsibilities. Instead, see it as an investment in your classroom’s overall success.

Quick check-ins are a moment to slow down, to breathe, and to create a shared experience before the busyness of the day takes over. They offer a chance for each student to share how they’re feeling, what’s on their mind, or something they’re grateful for. It’s about more than just a quick chat—it’s about fostering a sense of belonging and setting a positive, supportive tone that will carry through the entire day.