Part of Slice of Life by Two Writing Teachers (Even though I’m a day late…)
What I’ll miss wearing a mask to school Smiling. It’s my biggest coaching move. The smile changes, but it always means something. To teachers, I smile to say, “Good morning.” “I’ll see you soon!” “Can I help?” “I know.” “I get it.” “You got this.” “It’s hard, but we can do hard things.” “I’m here.” I smile to say, “These kids! They’re amazing!” I smile to say, “These kids! Can you believe it?” I smile to say, “I know you’re not ready now, but maybe one day soon, we can collaborate.” “I promise I’m nice.” I smile to say, “Look! Another meeting!” I smile to say, “Wow. This day!” I smile to say, “It’s okay.” “We’re in this together.” Smiling. It’s my biggest coaching move. The smile changes, but it always means something. To students, I smile to say, “Good morning.” “I saw you trip, but it’s okay.” “Are you ready for math?” “Oops, you dropped your breakfast!” “That’s a beautiful headband.” I smile to say, “I know you just got in trouble, but your day is going to get better.” "Your joke was funny even if nobody heard it." I smile to say, “These teachers! They’re amazing! How lucky are you?” I smile to say, “These teachers! Can you believe us, asking you to do this crazy stuff?” I smile to say, “Give it a try!” “Put the pencil to the paper, you’re going to write!” “Keep reading.” “Do you mind if I interrupt your reading to chat a bit?” “I promise I’m nice.” “You’ve got this.” “It’s hard, but we can do hard things.” "I'm here." I smile to say, “Wow. This day!” I smile to say, “It’s okay.” “We’re in this together.” I’ll still smile. I can’t help it, even under a mask. But it won’t matter. Nobody will see it.
On a Thought 
They WILL see your smile, Ona, but it will look different. I’ve been teaching my kids that they can recognize a smile even when they cannot see the person’s mouth. Our eyes grow wider and often pitch upwards when we smile with our whole face. We can still radiate happiness and warmth… so long as kids know to look for it on us. I’m confident you’ll teach your students how to do this just like I’ve taught my own children.
I love this post. A smile can communicate so much! Now we need to think about how we smile with our whole body. We do it all the time. Now we will just be more aware of it.