Lessons Teachers Can Learn From Hiccup

It’s the beginning of a new school year, and for many teachers that means welcoming a

brand-new group of students. This can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Often,

teachers forget that their new class is an entire year younger than the children they just

finished with. The fall months can be especially challenging, with classroom management

struggles and the sense that no progress is being made. It’s a stressful season of

transition.

This weekend, while watching the live-action version of

How to Train Your Dragon with my children, I was struck by how relevant its themes are to our work with young learners. Stories designed for children almost always contain lessons, but this one in particular resonated with me as a teacher. Hiccup, the main character, demonstrates qualities and strategies that are surprisingly applicable to the classroom.

Lesson 1: Relationships Come First

When Hiccup chose not to kill Toothless and

instead to befriend him, he instinctively

understood that trust must be established

before anything else could happen.

Toothless had to know he was safe, that

Hiccup wasn’t tricking him.

Hiccup built trust through small but

meaningful actions—offering food, sharing

gestures of equity, and respecting Toothless’

signals. He didn’t rush the process; instead,

he invested in the relationship first.

In teaching, this is the foundation. Before lessons, routines, or expectations, children

must feel safe, seen, and valued. When teachers jump straight into academics or control

without first building relationships, resistance grows. Resistance leads to behavioral

challenges, which in turn fuel stress and burnout.

Practical reflections for teachers:

Ask yourself:

What does this child need from me right now? How can I meet that need?

Focus on equity:

Children give us laughter, affection, and trust—how can we give back in ways that matter to them?

Show gratitude:

Remember, children don’t choose to be in your classroom—you are chosen for them. Be thankful when they invite you into their world with trust and joy.

Lesson 2: Perseverance Pays Off

Once Hiccup gained Toothless’ trust, he worked tirelessly to help him fly again. The process involved failure after failure, yet Hiccup persisted—observing, adjusting, and trying again until they succeeded.

Teachers, too, are scientists at heart. We follow the teaching cycle: observe, implement,

reflect, adjust. When nap time doesn’t work, or a behavior plan falls flat, we don’t give up

—we troubleshoot. Do routines need tweaking? Is the environment overstimulating? Do

we need to shift schedules?

The key is perseverance, creativity, and humor. Children deserve adults who won’t quit on

them, even when strategies fail the first (or fifth) time.

Lesson 3: Authenticity Inspires Change

Hiccup spent much of his life trying to be like everyone else in his village. Only when he

embraced who he truly was did he begin to thrive—and ultimately change the way his

community saw dragons.

Teachers, too, must find their own voice. It can be tempting to model yourself after a

more experienced colleague, but authenticity is far more powerful than imitation.

Children respond best when you show up as your genuine self.

I recall mentoring a novice teacher who struggled with behavior issues. Things improved dramatically once she realized, “I stopped trying to be Melinda.” She learned that authenticity—not imitation—built stronger connections with her students.

Consistency in routines and logistics is important, but the heart of teaching comes from courageously showing your true self. Your uniqueness is what makes you memorable and impactful.

Additional Takeaways for Teachers

Beyond these three lessons, Hiccup’s story reminds us of two broader truths:

Curiosity is a strength. Hiccup’s willingness to question “the way things have always been done” allowed him to see new possibilities. Teachers who approach students with curiosity instead of judgment often discover new solutions.

Compassion creates change. Hiccup’s compassion for Toothless shifted an entire culture. Our compassion for children—especially those who are struggling—has ripple effects that extend beyond the classroom.

Final Thought

Like Hiccup, teachers may not feel like they’re “changing the world.” But in reality, you are—one child, one moment, one relationship at a time.