Kids live up to what you believe about their identity.

“Noho Rangatira.”

Noho means “to sit” and a rangatira is a highly respected person. It’s my cue for “sit like someone worthy of respect.”

It does two things.

1) Reset focus. When the class gets restless, I model the posture, call “Noho Rangatira,” they echo it, and we all settle into an attentive seat. Focus returns.

2) Reset me. If I believe they’re not listening, I teach like that—and I lose them. When I believe I’m leading rangatira, I treat them like rangatira, and they rise to it.

I guard that belief. Noho Rangatira re-anchors me in a simple truth: these are young people worthy of my full respect.

When frustration creeps in, I ask:

– What would I need to believe about these kids for them to engage, get curious, and have fun?

Adopt that belief wholeheartedly and watch what happens.