This is your captain speaking...5 tips for clear classroom communication

“This is your captain speaking”, are the most comforting words that I can hear on a flight. Over the past few years I’ve been aboard more flights than I can count so that I could say “yes” to opportunities to present across the globe. It may come as a surprise to you that flying is a fear I’ve worked hard to overcome. There was a time that I feared flying so much that it would cause me severe anxiety two weeks prior to a trip and negatively affect my trip entirely as I anticipated the return flight home. Over the years, I’ve confronted this fear head on so that I could embrace new experiences and share my passion for education.

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I am happy to report that I’ve become more comfortable with flying over the past ten years and I no longer am anxiety ridden to the extent I was before. However, if I encounter any turbulence during a flight, I definitely have to practice my deep breathing exercises to calm down. On a recent flight to a speaking engagement, I had a feeling the ride would be bumpy due to weather, and my anxiety was rising quickly. Within minutes of taking my seat the pilot came on the loudspeaker and with a friendly and calming tone said, “This is your captain speaking; welcome aboard flight “xxxx“. He proceeded to explain the weather we were encountering and described what we could expect during the flight. Immediately my blood pressure reduced as I felt the confidence from the pilot that he was in control. This wasn't the last time we heard from the pilot. When the turbulence increased during our route, he came back on the intercom and explained why we were experiencing rough air and what he was doing to find a smoother route. Once again, my heartbeat slowed and I felt safe and confident the pilot had things under control. 

Communication is powerful. As I move back into a new role as a classroom culinary teacher, I am facing my own set of fears as I make a sharp career pivot. I haven’t been a classroom teacher for six years. Is it like riding a bicycle? Will I remember how to teach high school kids? Will I be able to quickly learn all the new school systems and digital platforms? Will I be able to connect with my students and provide meaningful, magical learning? The list goes on. If I, as a grown adult, have fears and anxieties walking into a new school year, I know my students do too. When we are thoughtful to consider the fears and anxiety they may be facing and respond with calmness, clarity, and confidence, we are helping those we serve feel safe, seen, and reassured. 

Here are some tips I’ve learned over the years that I’m going to bring back into practice as I begin this new journey:

Greet students at the door and address them by name
There’s something powerful about being greeted by name. It’s a simple action, but it carries significant weight. As educators, we have the opportunity to set the tone for the day from the moment students step into the classroom. When I greet students at the door, it’s an invitation. By acknowledging them by name, I’m telling them, “I see you. You matter here.” It also provides a few seconds to gauge their mood, and you can often detect if something is off. This small act of connection can create a sense of belonging and help alleviate any anxieties a student might be carrying before they even sit down.

Learn what they love
Building relationships doesn’t stop after the first week of school. It’s easy to ask students about their interests early on, but the real connection happens when you keep that conversation going all year. Whether it’s a favorite hobby, a sports team, or a new TV show, making the effort to ask students about the things they love shows them that you care beyond their academic performance. I’ve seen firsthand how this creates a ripple effect—when students feel known and valued, they’re more likely to engage and feel safe in the classroom. And often, these small conversations open doors to deeper discussions when they’re facing personal challenges.

Communicate clearly
In education, clarity is kindness. There have been many times I’ve witnessed students grow anxious simply because they aren’t sure what’s expected of them. Over the years, I’ve learned that being explicit with instructions and setting clear expectations can ease so much of that anxiety. Whether it’s walking through a new project, explaining classroom norms, or reviewing an assignment, taking the extra time to be clear benefits everyone. It’s especially important to use language that all students can understand, recognizing that each student comes with different experiences and learning needs.

Provide opportunities for students to ask questions and safely share
The classroom should always be a safe space, not just physically but emotionally as well. It’s not enough to tell students to ask questions—we need to actively create spaces where they feel comfortable doing so. Over time, I’ve realized that anxiety often stems from not knowing, whether it’s about content or expectations. Regularly inviting students to share their concerns, whether through a quick chat, anonymous surveys, or reflective journaling, helps me ensure that I’m addressing their needs. It’s also important to model vulnerability and show students that it’s okay to not know something or feel uneasy. This helps foster a culture of trust and open communication.

Continuously Check for Understanding
It’s easy to assume that students understand what we’re teaching just because we’ve explained it once, but real learning happens when we check in regularly and adapt our communication. Not every student will raise their hand if they’re confused, so I make it a point to look for other ways to gauge understanding, whether through quick formative assessments, peer discussions, or even body language. Differentiation in communication is key—what works for one student might not work for another. As educators, we need to find multiple ways to communicate our messages, ensuring that every student feels supported and confident in their learning journey.

These are practices I hold myself accountable to as I reenter the classroom. Just as the pilot’s calm, clear communication eased my anxiety mid-flight, I want to be that reassuring presence for my students. Whether they’re struggling with a cooking lab, unsure about an assignment, or just feeling overwhelmed by life, they need to know I’ve got things under control, and I’m here to guide them through it. Like the pilot who constantly checked in during turbulence, I will continuously check in with my students, ensuring they understand the path we’re on and feel secure enough to ask for support when they need it.
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In education, we’re more than just teachers—we’re navigators, guiding students through both the smooth skies and the stormy weather of their academic journeys. Every day, we have the opportunity to be that calm voice over the intercom, providing reassurance and clarity when things get tough. The power of clear communication, just like on that flight, can’t be underestimated. It’s what allows us to build trust, reduce fear, and ensure that each student knows they are in safe, capable hands, even when the journey gets bumpy. In my classroom, I hope to be the steady guide, reminding my students that no matter the challenges, we’re all in this together, and I’m here to see them safely to their destination.