At Metea, the staff and students work together to make a safe and educational environment. This year, instead of unloading assignments, one of the ways that Metea’s staff has been making students comfortable is by doing icebreakers to get to know each other. Building a community is the foundation for learning. When students feel safe with their teacher, they aren’t afraid to speak up and ask questions.
“Building community is really important,” AP Psychology teacher Heather Weisenburger said. “People feel more comfortable speaking and opening up and asking questions when they don’t understand something, and they feel comfortable in the environment that they’re in.”
For some students, the approach was a refreshing change.
“I had a positive experience in Spanish 1, where they had us do our introductions in Spanish to get to know each other and answer different questions,” senior Jamari Hawkins said. “I liked it.”
Others, however, felt that the experience was more awkward than fun.
“I kind of feel like the icebreakers went on for too long. I feel like it’s better if they do it on the first or second day,” senior Timothy Marzen said. “For example, my teachers have been doing it for the whole week. I think they’re kind of dragging.”
Icebreakers may not be everyone’s favorite way to start the year, but they do hold some meaning. For Weisenburger, the value of icebreakers lies in what they create outside of the activity itself. Taking time for icebreakers goes beyond just boring activities; it helps create a bond between the students and the teachers.
Whether you like ice breakers or not, they reflect a bigger goal at MVHS—making sure every student feels seen, heard, and welcomed. After all, the first days of school aren’t just about starting new classes; they’re about starting connections that can shape the rest of the year.
