The 3 Questions Every Student Needs Answered in the First 3 Days of School

Fresh off the Summer Refresh, Kelsey is sharing a special crossover episode from the Teacher Approved Podcast, hosted by sisters Heidi and Emily of Second Story Window. This episode is the perfect classroom-side companion to everything we talk about here at E&R because you can't build a classroom rooted in safety and connection if you don't have that foundation for yourself first.Heidi and Emily walk you through the three questions every student is silently asking in their first three days of school: Am I safe? Am I seen? Am I needed? Answer those, and you've built the foundation your whole year stands on.In this episode:Why a student's brain can't learn until it feels safe and how predictability + clear procedures build that sense of securityThe Tell, Try, Tally, Talk method for teaching procedures (revisit Episode 75 for the full breakdown)Simple ways to introduce yourself as a real person, not just "the teacher"Day 2: how to help every student feel truly seen, including your quieter, more introverted kidsDay 3: turning classroom jobs into meaningful ways for students to feel needed plus how to reflect now on which jobs are actually workingWhy this relationship-building isn't time away from curriculum; it is the learningThis week's Try It Tomorrow: writing a note to your future first-day selfTeacher-Approved Tip: creating classroom jobs that actually matterExtra Credit picks: DeleteMe (privacy protection service) and the picture book When You Go to Dragon School🎙️ Join Kelsey at Teacher Summer Talks 2026Kelsey is a featured speaker at this year's Teacher Summer Talks Audio Summit, hosted by Heidi and Emily, with a brand-new session, How to Stop Dreading September Before the School Year Starts, available exclusively there. It's a free audio summit, and if you loved this episode, you'll love the rest of what they do.👉 https://wifeteachermommy--secondstorywindow.thrivecart.com/tst-26-max-pass/