Published 26 September 2024

Members of the Pre-Pro Club gain access to exclusive Professionall Comics, a series of snapshots of the everyday lives of educators, exploring the good, bad, and the funny. Club Members also gain access to coloring page versions of each issue and can even contribute ideas for future issues! Here’s a sneak peak at one of our issues!

Rule #1: AWV–Always Wipe Vertically

As educators, we try our best to foster an engaging classroom, but what aspect of our teaching actually engages our students can be quite unpredictable. This unpredictability requires us to stay on our toes and adapt in the moment to keep the students’ focus on the lesson. Sometimes, though, it’s the little things––like how we erase the board––that grab our students’ attention the most.

Take, for example, this comic where our diligent teacher is simply trying to erase the board. What starts as an innocent act quickly turns into an unexpected moment of classroom hilarity! As the teacher moves side to side, trying to clean the board, the students can’t help but notice his "dance" and begin to giggle. One even chimes in with, “Nice dance, teach! Shake your tooshie!”

While the teacher in this scenario is taken aback for a moment, he remembers Rule #1 of board maintenance: AWV—Always Wipe Vertically. A simple adjustment, but one that saves you class time…and embarrassment!

What Can We Learn From This?

Awareness: Even routine tasks, like erasing the board, are observed by students. It’s easy to forget how closely they watch our every move! This comic humorously reminds us of the importance of staying mindful, even in the small moments.
Adaptability: The teacher doesn’t get flustered. He takes a pause, then redirects his approach. We can apply the same principle to so many classroom situations––sometimes, a small shift in how we do things can make a world of difference.
Humor: Classroom environments thrive when there's a bit of humor and light-heartedness. If the teacher can laugh along with his students, the moment becomes a shared experience rather than an embarrassment.

Practical Takeaways

If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation, take this as a friendly reminder: when in doubt, AWV—Always Wipe Vertically! A simple upward and downward motion can avoid the unintentional side-to-side “dancing” that may catch your students’ attention (and cause laughter).

Incorporating small changes in our practice can contribute to significant growth over time. Who knows, maybe your students will be the source of inspiration for the next change in your practice!

So the next time you find yourself in an embarrassing situation in your classroom, remember that those light-hearted moments build connections, contribute to a positive learning atmosphere, and can even be the source of professional growth.