As a teacher, you have the ability to make your students feel seen. It’s an amazing superpower and one you can harness just by being the biggest cheerleader for even their smallest accomplishments.

“When we take the time to slow down and acknowledge their hard work, it builds their confidence,” says Avery Lieske, a third-grade teacher in Alabama. “Teachers are so powerful because we have the ability to use our words to uplift our children in a way that makes them feel they can conquer the world.”

The next time one of your students finds small success in your classroom, here are a few ways you can make a big deal out of their little victory!

Praise Goes a Long Way

One of the simplest ways to celebrate your students’ successes is by offering praise in the right way, says Samantha Bradshaw, a second-grade teacher in Wisconsin. 

“It is important to note when offering praise, you should focus more on the process than the outcome,” she says. “Use the sentences that start with ‘I notice…,’ instead of ‘I like…,’ to be more encouraging to students.”

Use Sticky Words of Encouragement

Additionally, you can create long-lasting joy by jotting down your praise. “Using sticky notes to write short notes of praise or encouragement to your students is a quick and easy way to celebrate victory throughout the day,” says Bradshaw. “Students enjoy receiving these personalized notes.”

Celebrate All Day

Lieske celebrates her students all day, every day, and wants her students to feel seen the moment they walk through the classroom door. One way she does this is by making a playlist stocked with one favorite song from each of her students.

“The playlist is called ‘Lieske Class Walkout Songs,’” she says. “When the students enter the room or do something amazing, I will play their song.” 

Shout It Out!

“We have also built such a family community that my students will give ‘shout-outs’ to each other when they see their friends working hard, meeting a goal, or making good choices,” says Lieske. “Celebrating even the smallest of victories ensures that every child is seen and makes children want to keep learning!”

Put Work on Display

Bradshaw also likes to put her students’ work on display in the classroom to boost their confidence and keep them motivated. “Students feel a sense of pride when they see their work on the walls,” she says.

Connect With Parents

“Another way I like to celebrate victories is offering the student the opportunity to call home and tell their parents about the learning victory they had during the day,” says Bradshaw. 

Give an Extra Boost

When you celebrate your students’ little victories, you’ll not only build their self-esteem, but also their love for learning. Bradshaw likes to encourage her students’ learning love even more by giving them voice and choice in their classroom. 

“Students are allowed voices by working together with their teacher to make decisions in the classroom,” she says. “Students are allowed choice through choice boards, flexible seating, or even what materials they use for a project.”

Lieske, too, likes to give an extra boost by giving her students opportunities to lead. “Giving children ownership of their learning and providing opportunities for them to take the lead in class will most certainly help build their confidence,” she says.

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