"Embracing the Legacy of Mister Rogers: Fostering Kindness in the Classroom" by Dr. Jennifer L. Toney & Ms. Tracy L. Andrews

"Embracing the Legacy of Mister Rogers: Fostering Kindness in the Classroom"

By: Dr. Jennifer L. Toney & Ms. Tracy L. Andrews

In 2022, we had the privilege of meeting Gregg Behr, co-author, along with Ryan Rydzewski, of When You Wonder, You’re Learning, during his keynote address at the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference (PETE&C). His words ignited a spark within us, prompting a deeper dive into Fred Rogers' renowned learning principles. Recognizing the profound intentionality behind Mister Rogers’ work, we felt compelled to integrate the Fred Method into our educational practices.

As we further explored Fred's legacy, his gentle demeanor and profound insights on kindness resonated deeply with us. As elementary educators dedicated to nurturing kindness and empathy in our students, we embraced the opportunity to reflect on Mister Rogers' enduring influence and its impact on our teaching philosophies. In this blog post, we are excited to share insights, activities, and resources that have played a pivotal role in fostering kindness within our classrooms and communities.

Fostering Kindness in Third Grade: Jen's Insights, Activities, and Resources

Fred Rogers famously said, "There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind." The message Fred conveyed remains as relevant today as when he first spoke those words. As educators, we bear the responsibility not only to prepare our learners academically but also to help them develop strong character. At Sharpsville Area Elementary School, our schoolwide positive behavior program offers a framework that fosters and rewards acts of kindness among students and staff. I draw on these school community goals as I engage with my third-grade writers daily and use them as a springboard to model and promote kindness in our classroom community. I prioritize community building at the onset and throughout the school year, recognizing that it's the personal connections and interactions that truly underpin a thriving classroom community. 

To foster kindness and connection, I kick off the school year with a collaborative project called the Curation Quest. This project was inspired by William Kist’s book, Curating a Literacy Life: Student-Centered Learning with Digital Media. We gather various multimodal artifacts, including books, films, songs, quotes, artworks, and hands-on experiences, all centered around a specific theme. This year, we focused on developing a growth mindset, setting the stage for exploring kindness, courage, and gratitude throughout the year. Together, we explored and discussed meaningful artifacts, getting to know each other better in the process. We then used our findings to create a remix poster and reflections that highlighted the impact of our quest. Afterward, students embark on their kindness quests, seeking out acts of kindness in their daily lives. They compiled their findings into colorful posters, which we proudly displayed on a kindness wall. It was heartwarming to see their excitement as they shared their discoveries and the impact they have had on the world around them.

Kindness Remix Poster Example 

Nurturing Kindness in First Grade: Tracy’s Insights, Activities, and Resources

At the start of every year, I imagine my classroom transformed into a Neighborhood of Make-Believe, buzzing with kindness inspired by Fred Rogers. To achieve this I must be intentional in my actions.  Every interaction with my students becomes a chance to practice his philosophy, embodied in the quote, "Treat our neighbor as we would hope to be treated." Instead of harsh corrections, mistakes become opportunities for empathy and learning. When a student struggles, I kneel, hoping to mirror Mister Rogers' gentle eye contact, and ask, "How can I help you today?" As a result, mistakes don't define our classroom – instead, they spark a desire to help one another. 

By encouraging "helpers" in the classroom, students learn about the joy of helping others. Group projects unfold with modeling of "I like what you're thinking" affirmations, turning competition into collaboration. Celebrating individual differences happens daily, fostering acceptance and belonging. By reading books like How Full is Your Bucket, The Color of US, My Mouth is A Volcano, We’re All Wonders, Leo the Late Bloomer, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Unicorns Don’t Love Rainbows, and many more that honor our individuality, I hope that my students internalize the message of kindness and acceptance, carrying it beyond the classroom walls. Remember, Mister Rogers didn't just talk about kindness; he lived it. His methods invite all educators to do the same – to create a space where kindness flourishes, one neighborly act at a time. Striving to be an example of the kindness he taught is the best way I know to teach my students to do the same.

Fred Rogers has left an enduring legacy of kindness on the world. His intentional work has inspired us, along with many others to invite his blueprint into our classrooms and communities. If you are interested in learning more about Fred and his legacy, we invite you to attend the 2nd annual frED camp on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Ehrman Crest Elementary School in the Seneca Valley School District. It’s a special opportunity for educators to not only earn free Act 48 or PQAS credits, but also a chance to connect with all sorts of local professional learning opportunities, and ground their work in the lessons left to us by Western PA’s own Mister Rogers. Register today at: bit.ly/frEDcamp24. We hope you can join us for a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

Biographies:

 

Tracy (left) and Jen (right) presenting their poster session “Teach Like Fred” at the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo & Conference (PETE&C) last month. 

Jen is an eighteen-year veteran elementary educator and currently teaches third graders in a departmentalized ELA classroom at the Sharpsville Area School District in Sharpsville, PA.

Tracy has been working with children from birth to 6th grade for more than 35 years. Currently, she is teaching first grade at the Wilmington Area School District in New Wilmington, PA.