Day 1 kicks off the challenge with one of the most foundational pillars of effective teaching—relationship building. Take away practical strategies and ready-to-use resources that will help you connect with English Language Learners (ELLs) right from the start! By creating a warm, inclusive environment, educators lay the groundwork for academic risk-taking and long-term engagement.

Why It’s Important:
Strong teacher-student relationships are critical for ELLs, who often face language and cultural barriers. When students feel seen, understood, and valued, they are more likely to participate and thrive. Day 1 addresses the problem many teachers face: not knowing how to meaningfully connect with multi-leveled ELLs at the start of the year.

By the end of Day 1, walk away with tangible resources and a repeatable system you can use every school year to foster strong classroom relationships and smoother transitions for ELLs!