Teaching Profession

Morning Rituals Educators Swear By to Start the Day Right

By Marina Whiteleather — January 23, 2023 1 min read
Image of a clock on a spiral notebook.
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

A typical day in the life of a teacher or principal is anything but calm. So, how do educators make sure they start the day off right?

We asked Education Week’s social media followers to share the go-to morning rituals that help them mentally prepare for the school day.

Set the tone for the day with uplifting tunes, stories, or videos

A cup of coffee, morning yoga, and an awesome playlist!

- Miss G.

Cozy lights on in my classroom, some fun music on my SmartBoard, and helping my students (early morning office hours).

- Nicole G.

I listen to an audiobook while I get ready. Sometimes it’s the only reading I get to do all day.

- Sara R.

I start every class with a motivational video from YouTube or a similar site.

- John L.

Move your body

Lifting!!

- Coach G.

3:45 wake up. Gym by 4. Back home. At least a 2 mile run with my husky. Breakfast. Shower. Make lunch. Leave for school by 8.

- Blake C.

Morning grounding exercise, self-awareness check in and set an intention for the day.

- Ben K.

Yoga

- Ei M.

Stay grounded in your faith

Bible App and Podcast...🙏🏾🙏🏾

- Michael B.

Starting the day off with prayer prepares me emotionally and mentally to handle the challenges of the day. I find that I am calmer, less anxious, and I get more done when I start my day with Him.

- Queen M.

Prayer and music before I get to my school site!

- Ms. J.

Connect with your students

Being the hype man for students entering class. 🤷‍♂️

- Matt W.

Greeting students at the door, and Morning Meeting!👍🏾

- Lisa H.

💯Building rapport right away.

-Teacher Warrior

We start each day with a morning greeting. Simply saying good morning and naming the child builds connections.

- Mary W.

Related Tags:

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Professional Development Webinar
Grow Leaders, Keep Teachers: Leadership Development as a Staffing Strategy
Find out how to turn leadership development into a staffing strategy and grow your next generation of school leaders from within.
Content provided by Frontline Education
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Teaching Webinar
Closing the Practice Gap: Essential Insights for Leaders
Three instructional experts will share strategies for making students’ reading and math practice more engaging and impactful this year.
Content provided by Renaissance

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Teaching Profession What Were the Funniest Stories of the School Year? We Asked Educators
In what other job do you hear about lost boogers and polio shirts, and hold a memorial for Gerald the fly?
2 min read
A collage-style illustration made of multicolored pieces of watercolor-textured paper. The vignettes in the collage include a rabbit poking its head out of a backpack, a chick cracking out of an egg, a fly pictured on a tombstone, a stapler with a curly phone cord attached to the end of it, a pickle jar with dirt and sand in it, a storm cloud with a strike of lightning and a pair of pants flying away.
Illustration by Emily Wright for Education Week + Getty
Teaching Profession Talking About Menopause Is No Longer Taboo. Here's Why That's Good for Teachers
One estimate says that schools experience nearly $800 million in lost productivity annually because of the health issue.
4 min read
Oscar-winning actor and women's health activist Halle Berry joins Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., second from left, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, right, and other women of the Senate as they introduce new legislation to boost federal research on menopause, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, May 2, 2024. The bipartisan Senate bill, the Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women's Health Act, would create public health efforts to improve women's mid-life health. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Actress Halle Berry joins federal lawmakers who introduced new legislation to boost federal research on menopause, at the Capitol in Washington, on May 2, 2024. School officials and advocates are paying more attention to the financial cost the health condition brings to schools and individual teachers.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Teaching Profession The Push for a Paraprofessional 'Bill of Rights' Is On in 18 States
A drive is on in those states to improve pay and working conditions for paraprofessionals and other staff.
3 min read
NEAConvention 7.6.2026 MarkMakela6
Ric Calhoun, the National Education Association's Education Support Professional of the year, is calling for a "ESP Bill of Rights." He addresses the union's Representative Assembly at the NEA Convention in Denver, on July 6, 2026.
Mark Makela for Education Week
Teaching Profession Q&A 'Organize, Organize, Organize': New NEA President Sees the Value in Everyday Engagement
The incoming leader of the nation's largest teachers' union focuses on engagement.
4 min read
NEAConvention 7.6.2026 MarkMakela35
Newly elected NEA President Princess Moss, photographed during the union's convention in Denver on July 6, 2026. Moss said she wants the union to improve its organizing capabilities.
Mark Makela for Education Week