Yellowstone was the first National Park. Without it, we wouldn’t have Yosemite, Zion, Denali, or the Grand Canyon.

Without a proper classroom culture, everything you want won’t come next.

Below are some of the many different things I have used to create the classroom culture I want. Of course, no two classrooms are the same, and that’s how it should be. Just like every national park is uniquely different, so too should every math classroom.

Start with thinking about what you value. Then consider what you want students to value in your classroom. Think about what’s needed to best convey your values onto you students, so they too can begin to see what’s important, not only to you, but to them as well.

We so often get caught up in what we teach, the why we teach gets left behind.

What students see on the walls, hear in your voice, and believe in their souls, will impact them far more than the lesson themselves, and it will make everything easier.

Students should feel your culture consistently so much, it becomes your Old Faithful.