four things your students really need

Thanks to Ms. Wendy Byard (see Oct 18 post, below), we have a quick article from Harvard Business Review. 

Four things employees (your students) need.

Guess what #1 is?  Read here.

What is your teaching founded on?

Reading a magazine from our union (not often real hopeful stuff, right?), I turned the page and found a very moving article by English professor and author Wendy Byard. It's about her perseverance in working with a challenging student and the effect it has on him.


So I visited her website and found she is the author of a book whose subtitle includes the phrase "Teaching with Love."


From her website: 
"It seems God has been trying to teach me a great lesson. It wasn't enough that I was a knowledgeable or skilled teacher. It wasn't enough that I worked hard. It wasn't even enough that I cared for my students. No, I began to understand that God wanted much more from me -- what he wants from all teachers. He wanted me to love my students and show it."

advice from Norman Vincent Peale

"Rid yourself of all sick thoughts -- hate, resentment, inferiority and the like.


Easier said than done.  Try replacing sick thoughts by focusing on positives.  Pray for, or think positively toward, kids who make your life rougher.  Remember your strengths.  Recall your successes.  Think on the many advantages to your job.

Peace.

Are they getting you down?

The thrill of the new year officially ended for me this week.

Homecoming was last week. Now it's total normalcy. Plus, four weeks of hundreds of only-somewhat civilized teenaged human beings is wearing on me.

So now what? I remember that I like my job for the most part, and that it has many advantages. I think (right now as I write) about small successes I've already had so far this year. I pray for the students who annoy me or worse.

We do what we can do. You have the inner resources for this, as do I. Fight the good fight, acknowledging that it is in many ways a struggle against darkness. Keep well, colleague.

Are you in adversity?

"In adversity keep motivated, for often the best comes from difficulty." 
- Norman Vincent Peale


Note on the pic: A butterfly must struggle out of the cocoon to squeeze moisture out of its wings.  Without the struggle, it falls to the ground and dies. 


Chin up, colleague.  You do have the inner resources to face the challenge, be better for it, and bless others.

Remember that you are successful.

A pastor and instructor of preaching, Rev. Diana Goudie, once taught me this.  I think it's very applicable to teaching.

Judge your success not by how many people follow. 
Judge your success by your faithfulness in showing the way.


Be well, colleague.

my favorite education quote

Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself. ~ Chinese proverb

Something tells me if you are reading this blog, you are doing a good job at "opening the door," and getting the students to enter.  Though, of course, it is ultimately up to them.  Be well and have a blessed week as you bless others.