Positive Seats, Powerful Starts: How I Build Culture in My Cosmetology Classroom
Let’s be real… the first days of school can feel overwhelming. New students (or old ones). New energy. New attitudes. And everybody is trying to see what they can get away with. 😅
Over the years, I’ve learned this: if you don’t intentionally set the tone from day one, your classroom will set it for you. And trust me… you want to be the one in control of that tone!
As an educator, I’m always thinking about ways to maintain a positive climate and culture in my high school cosmetology classes. What I’ve learned is that a positive classroom climate goes hand-in-hand with strong classroom management. Setting a positive tone while clearly establishing expectations from DAY ONE is key!
And one thing I do that may surprise you…
I assign seats.
Yes… I said it. Assigned seats.
when assigning seats….
Make sure to strategically place your students!
Now you may be thinking,
“How on earth does assigning seats help build a positive culture when students usually hate it?”
Here’s my secret:
👉🏽 I assign seats with positive reinforcement.
Every year at the start of school, I head to Dollar Tree and grab super cute, colorful heart-shaped notecards. Then I write the name of every returning student on a card — along with a personalized positive affirmation just for them.
Examples:
“Lisa, you are intelligent!”
“Maya, you are creative!”
“Jasmine, you are powerful!”
If you’ve built relationships with your students, this part is easy — and so meaningful.
if you’re thinking, “What about first-year students I don’t know yet?” No worries! You can still assign seats strategically. for example, you might use alphabetical order to keep things simple at first. Once you get to know your students a little better, you can adjust the seating to be even more intentional and supportive of their needs. Even with new students, this method sets a positive tone and starts building connections right away.
Once my affirmations are written, I place each card in my preferred seating arrangement. I think about:
Which students struggle with vision?
Who needs frequent redirection?
Who thrives anywhere?
I seat students based on what they need to succeed — not just who wants to sit by who.
When students walk in on day one, I welcome them with love and tell them to find their seat. Do I get a few eye rolls? Of course. 😅 But once they read their card… those same students are usually smiling. Your Positive Affirmations Matter! 💛
1️⃣ Write one affirmation for each student before school starts.
2️⃣ Create your seating chart based on student needs.
3️⃣ Place each card at their assigned seat.
4️⃣ Greet students and direct them to find their seat.
5️⃣ Give them a moment to read and reflect.
6️⃣ Collect and save the cards for future seat changes.
Simple. Intentional. Powerful.
Once students are settled, I collect the cards and store them until it’s time to rearrange seats again.
This simple strategy helps me:
✅ Set a positive tone from day one
✅ Support classroom management
✅ Keep students focused and productive
✅ Prevent distractions from friend groups
✅ Build strong teacher-student relationships
Sometimes classroom management doesn’t start with rules…
Sometimes it starts with love, intention, and a note card. ❤️
Reflection for Instructors 🤔
Take a moment and ask yourself:
How do I currently set the tone on day one?
Do my students feel seen right away?
What’s one small shift I could make this year to build stronger connections?
Want to Try This in Your Classroom? 🖨️✨
To make this easy for you, I’ve created:
✔️ Printable affirmation cards:
✔️ A list of 100 ready-to-go affirmations:
Because teachers deserve tools that save time and make an impact. 💛
Final Thoughts 🌟
Classroom culture doesn’t just happen — it’s built on purpose.
And when your students feel valued from day one, everything changes.
Try this strategy in your classroom and watch the shift. And when you do… come back and tell me how it went. I’d LOVE to hear your story. ❤️
Ready to Take Your Classroom to the Next Level?
If you found this free lesson helpful, just imagine what you can do with our premium lesson plans! Our premium resources are packed with more detailed instruction, done-for-you tools, engaging activities, and classroom-ready materials designed to help you save time, boost student engagement, and make your classroom truly thrive.
👉 Explore our Premium Lesson Plans and give your students the high-quality learning experience they deserve.
And don’t forget to stay connected! For more tips, strategies, and inspiration for cosmetology instructors:
✨ Follow us on YouTube for in-depth training and classroom ideas
✨ Follow us on TikTok for quick tips and inspiration
✨ Like our Facebook Page for updates and resources
✨ Join our Facebook Group to connect with other instructors, share ideas, and grow together
Let’s build stronger classrooms and more confident instructors—together! 💪
