ABSTRACT
Students read faces. They sense atmosphere. What they “read” and sense tell them in some way how they are perceived, how they should act, whom they should trust. Nothing affects students more positively than a teacher’s smile. As basic as this may sound, it is nonetheless true and not always easy to do. The press of classroom events is not always a smiling matter, but a positive countenance in the first moments of a day may lessen the press a bit. Time and time again, the author has witnessed teachers who despite some pedagogical weaknesses are working with cooperative and seemingly cheerful students. The attribute common to these teachers is a nearly omnipresent smile and clever personal asides to students. Of course, there are other elements involved, but the friendly and humorous disposition reflected through body language is clearly a factor. The adage, “Don’t smile till Christmas” has a modicum of validity but may be partly responsible for no smiling till summer vacation.
