Sticky Notes

Slice of Life '24 2 Minutes

When I taught Kindergarten in Cairo, I got to work with Noah. He brought freshness, calm, and some logic to our team. I learned a lot of things from him, but the one I treasure the most is the sticky note idea.

Noah suggested we write a thoughtful yet quick compliment to each student every week—hence the sticky note. I got on board and have been writing these compliments ever since.

I don’t get to do it every week, especially when I start with a few students on Monday and then forget about the rest during the week. When this happens, I have to remind myself who didn’t get one so I can start with those the following week. Once it starts feeling like a task, I see myself pushing it more and more to later weeks.
But yesterday, I gave my students a “5-minute talk break.” While they talked about their playdates, whose Lego set they should dismantle to build the new track, or what special haircut they wanted to get, I had to write 5 stickies.

I often lose the freshness and calmness of these notes. I forget the many photos families have sent me over the years with their child’s sticky notes all over a fridge, their bedroom mirror, or laminated on a book of memories. I always have 5 minutes here and there, and I can list the many efficient things I do then, to name a few, just to reassure myself: respond to an email, finish planning tomorrow’s read-aloud, or fill up my water cup! But what if I just drop everything for some of those 5 minutes and write a few stickies?

Elena, you wouldn’t believe the effect these have. Or maybe when you’re older, you’ll understand because our house hosts so many Post-its with cute messages from Dada (he started doing this years before you were born, and Mama loves them!) I know what it feels like to receive those compliments, to know that someone noticed something so specific and thought it was worth mentioning. My students walk a little taller, try a little harder, and care much more when they feel appreciated and seen.

Today, I will think of this letter I’m writing to you as a commitment to write more sticky notes. Maybe I’ll even write one to Noah and send him a picture!

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Published by Ana Valentina Patton

I aim to be a learner, not a knower. If I forget, please remind me.

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15 thoughts on “Sticky Notes”

  1. It’s so great to get back to it. I always start every year with such energy, but I think I set myself up for failure, assuming I’ll be able to write them every single week. I’m trying to at least do two weeks each month.
    Thank you, Elisabeth!

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  5. You’re speaking one of my love languages haha In my life, there’s a before and after reading The Power of Our Words. I believe this is where Noah got the idea, too 🙂
    Thank you, Julie!

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  9. This is one of the best gifts you have given me (so thank you, and thank you Noah for gifting it to you!). Not only do the students love it, but I see the change in myself when I take the time to notice the positive in each of them.

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  11. Love this idea! As I was scanning to decide who to comment to today, I was surprised to see your topic… I wrote about the sticky note today too 🙂

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  14. What a wonderful idea! I teach high school, and I know that sticky notes like these may make all the difference. I’m starting today & will aim for one class by the end of the week. THANK YOU!

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