Karen Loewe, a middle school English teacher from Oklahoma, has been teaching for over 22 years, and her experience has given her a profound understanding of what students truly need.
Recently, she shared a powerful first day of school activity on Facebook that has since gone viral, capturing attention because of its focus on something we all share: emotional baggage.
Loewe’s classroom activity, called The Baggage Activity, provided a safe space for students to anonymously share the emotional burdens they carry.
She explained that she asked her students to write down what was troubling them on a piece of paper, crumple it up, and throw it across the room.
Each student then picked up someone else’s paper and read it aloud. If the student who wrote the paper chose to identify themselves, they could share more about their experience.
What followed was an emotional, tear-filled day, as students opened up about serious challenges like family issues, mental health struggles, and personal loss.
Loewe’s hope is that this exercise will encourage her students to be more empathetic, kinder, and less judgmental toward one another.
The activity resonated with people far beyond the classroom, as it underscored the importance of creating spaces for emotional expression, especially for kids navigating the complexities of middle school.
Loewe’s approach to teaching goes beyond academic learning she fosters a community where students feel seen, heard, and supported.
Her viral post has touched the hearts of many, showing the impact that empathy and understanding in the classroom can have on students’ lives.