5 Simple steps to a class mission statement you can actually remember

Motivation

5 Simple steps to a class mission statement you can actually remember

By Christian Howd | September 10, 2007

New Motivation Thoughts of mission statements sometimes bring up visions of stuffy cubicles and past episodes of The Office. But mission statements are not just for companies or schools. Classrooms can benefit from them as well. Teachers can use a mission statement as a yearly focus for the class, a source of motivation, and an opportunity to track some data that will hopefully show student progress.

What is it?

In a nutshell, a mission statement tells who you are, what you are doing, and why.

How long should it be?

Mission statements have a tendency to either get wordy and confusing or general and meaningless. This has prompted some to debate the value of mission statements. Or make fun of them. But when done right, they are useful. And most gurus in this area seem to say that “done right” means people should be able to remember what the mission statement says:

The mission statement is one thing that should be known by every person in the organization. You should be able to go up to any individual in the organization and he or she should be able to recite the mission to you.

It should always be brief, so that it can be remembered.

How to make a mission statement in five simple steps

Work with your class. This is a class mission, so it needs to be created as a group.
Make a class name. Decide if you will be identified by your grade level, teacher’s name, room number, or something unique. Ask students what they want to be called.
Decide on important actions. The class might need some guidance here to select some actions that you are happy with as well. Keep this list to around three of the most important actions needed to be successful. You might want to consider actions related to academics, work habits, and behavior.
Brainstorm the whys. Discuss why you do what you do. Connect the actions to student success in the current school year (honor roll, good grades, pride), but also out into the future (college, career, money).
Keep it short. Keep the mission statement to a sentence, something that can be memorized and remembered. If it’s too long, no one will use or remember it when they need it.

When you are done, type it up, snap a class photo and let your students sign the mission statement. Post it somewhere in the room. If you have room, create an area to display the mission statement and any charts, graphs or data that shows you are moving toward your mission.

When done right, your mission statement will be a motivational slogan that everyone likes and can remember.

Topic of the Week: Mission Statements [EduHound Weekly]

Resources:

MissionsStatements.com: Check out sample mission statements from many different types of organizations. Get ideas on length, wording and what might work for you.

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