First impressions are important. We know this. We've heard about it in commercials and read about it in books. The statement, "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression," is a popular statement that is ingrained in our psyche. As much as we often think this only means adult-to-adult relationships, it also pertains to the relationships we have with our students.

In an excellently written Education Week Teacher commentary, Pernille Ripp wrote that "most of us make our biggest mistake on our very first day." That's not the greatest way to make a positive first impression. To explain, Ripp went on to write,

"Sure, I laughed with the students and made noises about our "class community." But as the all-important first week of school progressed, I went about dictating rules, establishing who was in control, and setting tight boundaries for the year."

As a former teacher, I can relate to Pernille's commentary. I set out on the first day to establish rules with my young students. Sure I would take their input, but I knew that most of them would come up with suggestions that would please me. At a very young age kids know how to say the right thing. In Ripp's commentary she goes on to give excellent advice on how teachers can avoid mistakes on their first day (click here to read the whole commentary)

But what about the days after that?

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