Posted in Friday Note, General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Pep Talk

Friday (it’s okay to smile)


Dear Teacher,

It sounds like, from the feedback I have gotten, that this week has been a rough one for most of us.  Too many things to do.  Too many obstacles to overcome.  Too many problems to solve.

You are worn out.

You are beat up.

You are spent

And now it is Friday.

A smile is deserved.  Go ahead and do it!  You know you want to.  🙂

No matter what happened this week.  No matter what you were told.  No matter where you messed up.  No matter what, there was some “up” for all of the downs this week.  Look back and find it and then celebrate it!

(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)
(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)

You were able to get some things accomplished.  Celebrate.

You were able to get some light bulbs to turn on with students.  Celebrate.

You were able to connect with some students in new ways.  Celebrate.

You were able to get some traction on the content you are teaching.  Celebrate.

You were able to get students to learn a little more on their own.  Celebrate.

You made a difference with at least a student or two.  You helped a fellow teacher feel encouraged.  You made someone’s day brighter.  You did something for someone they could not do on their own.  Celebrate.  Celebrate.  Celebrate.

Do go back and see what did not work and what you need to work on.  That is important.  Just don’t forget to celebrate and smile for what you did right.  That is equally important.

You got to Friday.  Smile.  Celebrate.  It is okay.  You have earned it!

You are awesome!  I know that you see what needs improvement.  Just remember that you also do somethings well.  You are amazing and you are making a difference.  Keep on teaching, Teacher, and keep on celebrating the good!

Love, Teacher

 

 

Posted in General Inspiration, Note to Teachers, Pep Talk, Perseverance, Quotes to Inspire

Move


Dear Teacher,

This is going to be a quick one!  I, like you, have a zillion things to accomplish and the time to finish about three!  Thus is the life of a teacher.  Too much to do…and not near enough time to even think about how do to half of what needs to be done let alone get any of it done!

And that is what I want to talk about.  What do we do when we have too much to do.

We just do.

We move.

We go.

We do.

It is old and tiresome to quote, but I feel like I need to mention something that the Chinese philosopher, Lau-tzu said a long, long, long time ago:

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

We have a thousand miles to move every day as a teacher.  It is overwhelming, to say the least.  But we can’t let this stop us.  We can’t.  Our students need us.  So we just need to start.

We need to take a step.

Then another.

Then another.

Then…

You get it.

We need to move.

Sometimes movement is the best we can do.  Sometimes we can only muster up the energy, strength, and time for a single step…other times it might be seventeen…we might even be able to go a few miles.  No matter how far we go, we just need to move.  We need to step.  We need to go.

Start stepping.

Move.

Go.

You may not get far today, but just move.

Oh, and make sure your students and their needs are you destination!

So what are you waiting for?  Just move!

(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)
(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)

You are tired, but you are awesome!  It is hard, but you can do it!  Don’t stop!  Don’t give up!  Keep going, Teacher, and keep on teaching!

Love, Teacher

Posted in General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, Pep Talk, Perseverance, Picture Note

The Long, Hard Road


(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)
(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)

Dear Teacher,

Two words: Keep going!

It is Wednesday.  Keep going.

You are feeling burned out.  Keep going.

You don’t feel supported.  Keep going.

You are lost in your content.  Keep going.

You have too much to do.  Keep going.

You have some difficult students.  Keep going.

You have things going on at home.  Keep going.

You have issues at your school.  Keep going.

You are not getting along with coworkers.  Keep going.

You are tired.  Keep going.

You are beat up.  Keep going.

You are hurt.  Keep going.

You are emotionally spent.  Keep going.

You are out of ideas.  Keep going.

You have too many students to get to each one every day.  Keep going.

You want to give up.  Keep going.

Keep going.

Keep going.

Keep going.

Your students are so close to breakthroughs.  Keep going!

Your students look to you as their only hope in the day.  Keep going!

Your students need your consistency.  Keep going!

Your students are learning to learn on their own.  Keep going!

Your students are having more and more “aha” moments every day.  Keep going!

Your students are figure things out.  Keep going!

Your students are learning.  Keep going!

You are who they need and need you to be.  Keep going!

Keep going!

Keep going!

Keep going!

The road is long.  The road is hard.  Keep going.

There are thorns.  There are rocks.  There are hills.  There are mountains.  Keep going.

The end is far and your strength is almost gone.  Keep going.

You will make it.  You can get there.  Keep going!

Teacher, don’t give up.

Keep going!

You are awesome.  You can do this.  Don’t stop.  Don’t give up.  Keep on teaching, Teacher, and keep going!

Love, Teacher

Posted in General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, Video Note

Tuesday Reminder…


(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)
(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)

Dear Teacher,

Today is Tuesday.  You are back into the grind of another week.  Tuesdays can be hard.  If it is a rough, long day, it is really rough and long because the end of the week is still so very far away!

I hope today is not one of those days for you.  As a matter of fact, don’t let it be.  Take charge of this Tuesday.  Make it yours!  Don’t let stress and worries drag it down and away from you.  Keep finding the positive.  Keep remembering your goal (your students) and keep moving towards it.

  • Find a way to work with difficult students.
  • Check some things off of your “to-do” list.
  • Clean a pile or two off of your desk.
  • Get engagement from your students, no matter what it takes.
  • Get some student to connect “A” to “B”…and do so on their own.
  • Have a breakthrough with a student.
  • Try a new strategy.
  • Master an old tried strategy.
  • Make students know they are smart.
  • Give a hug or two.
  • Write some notes to make people feel awesome.
  • Give lots and lots of high-fives.
  • Look in the mirror and remind yourself of your awesome.
  • Put some non-priorities on the back burner.
  • Focus, focus, focus on students and what they need.
  • Help students get just a little better at learning on their own.
  • Do something.
  • Help someone.
  • Be awesome.

Today is Tuesday.  It is your day.  Make it yours.  Don’ let it slip away!

Here is my second attempt at an encouraging and/or motivational video.  I like this one a lot better than the first.  Have a watch and then share it with other teachers you think could use a shot of awesome!

So, Tuesday Teacher, remember that your awesome!  You are awesome.  You have awesome.  Be awesome and share awesome with every student, teacher, parent, family member, administrator, support staff member you see…and be awesome to yourself.  

You are amazing!  Today will be yours.  It is yours.  I know you will make it yours!  You are going to make a difference for at least one person today…probably more.  I love the way you care so much for the people around you, especially your students.  Show that care today.  I know you will!  Keep on teaching, you wonderful Teacher, you!

Love, Teacher

PS…Here is the first video, in case you missed it.  Motivational ABCs – The Movie!

Posted in General Inspiration, Pep Talk, Theme Song

(you’re gonna hear me) Roar


Wake up and roar!  (c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)
Wake up and roar! (c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)

Dear Teacher,

Monday again.  Get pumped up.  You’ve got this.  Today is yours.  This week is yours.  You are a teacher…Mondays are your day to shine!

For that reason, you need a theme song.  You need to let this week know that you are coming.  It is time for the “You” show.  This theme is your song and your introduction to the week.

I have your theme ready, but this week is going to be a little different.  Before I let you click play, I have something for you to read first.

I knew what song I wanted to feature this morning, but when I went on a video search I came across a cover of this song, and an amazing, heart-breaking, and inspiring story.  I decided that even though the music side of this version is not as powerful, the story behind this one makes this version a thousand times more inspiring,  I think as teachers, this one is going to make us face the week even more courageous than we would have without reading, seeing, and hearing it.

I want you to read this before playing the song.  It is the description from YouTube.  It tells the story of Olivia Wise.  It tells why this song was recorded and presented on YouTube.  Please read and be inspired.

Olivia Wise has Brain Cancer. She came into a recording studio for her first time and recorded the Katy Perry song Roar. She couldn’t walk or stand, she didn’t have her full breath or the energy she used to, and she was managing her new pains and new limitations. While her physical condition was rapidly fading, her spirit remained untouched.

Olivia is a fighter and has gone through the fire, in fact, she was going through the fire while she recorded this song, but you wouldn’t know it, because she was dancing right through it. She is an inspiration, a champion, and my hero. This is her Roar.

To donate to the Liv Wise Fund: http://www.livwisefund.com
To donate to the Liv Wise Fund:http://my.sickkidsdonations.com/perso…
or Phone 416-813-5320

Here is a CNN story about her and her recording of the song.

I am not sure what I can say after this story.  I am not sure if I need to say anything.

What worries you?

What stresses are you dreading this week?

What pressures are you feeling?

What makes you anxious?

Do these things matter in the grand scheme of things?  Do they need to own your energy and patience?  Do they need to master you?  Do they need to break you this week?

What is most important?  What matters most?  What deserves your time and energy?  What deserves you and your life?

Focus on what really matters.  Focus on your students.  Focus on your fellow teachers.  Focus on your family.  Focus on what helps you be there for others.  Focus on you (in a good way).

After hearing what others are going through and fighting through, it really gives us perspective on ourselves.  Really, what is it that truly matters?

What is the big picture?  What, if we think about it, won’t matter later?  Can we let those things go?  Can we at least put them on the back burner?

I want to challenge you this week to let some of the stress go.  I want you to think of what your students need, need of you, and need you to be.  Put your energy there.  Spend your time there.  Let those things take your attention.  If other things go, or at least make them wait.  You will never regret putting your students and their learning first.

I think you will do more than not regret it, you will thank yourself for it later.  So will your students.  So will the future.

Focus on people this week.  Be there for students, teachers, friends, and family.

Don’t let the weekly pressures choke out the space you need to have for others.

Have the eye of the tiger.  Be louder than the lion.  Stand firm.  Let this week and the stress that comes with it hear you roar as you keep your priorities straight and you make a difference.

You are a champion.  Prove it.  Show it.  Roar!

You are amazingly awesome!  You are capable of not letting this week rule over you.  You won’t let it.  You will let your focus lie where it should.  You are going to roar!  I know you will!  You are a great teacher, so of course you will!  Be great and keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

Posted in General Inspiration, Pep Talk, Teaching Power, Weekend Note

As You Plan…


Dear Teacher,

A new week approaches.  A new performance.  A new show.  A new presentation.

You do the research.  You make the plans.  You write the script.  You learn your part.  You practice, practice, practice (even if only in your mind).

You do your best to be ready for when the curtain opens.

You breathe through the Sunday night “butterflies” as the time to go “on” is only hours away.

This is the weekend for you, a teacher.

Breathe, Teacher.  Breathe.

And let some of the worries go.

Let them go?

Yes.

Go.

Why?

Because you know that as soon as you step in the door on Monday, your plans will already be changed.  You know that you can never really know what the week will throw at you.  You will have to monitor.  You will have to adjust.  And just when your adjustments are adjusted, you will have to monitor again…and adjust.  And monitor and adjust.  Monitor and adjust.  And monitor and adjust…all because you are a GREAT TEACHER.

Great teachers do not let plans and preparations rule the week.  They are just what they are.  Plans and preparations.  The week has a plan of its own…and though you don’t let the week master you, you move and roll with it so you can master the week.  Plans are not the end, they are just the means, and they can change.  Your students and their needs are the end.  You know the path to the end will change, and that doesn’t matter as long as you get to the end.

(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)
(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)

You, amazing teacher, know what it takes to be an amazing teacher.  Not because you are trying to be amazing, but because your students matter most.  This is why you need to let go of some of the stress and Sunday night anxiety.  Your plans will not work the way you planned them this weekend.  Your ideas for the week will change.  You will be thrown curve balls on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  You will have to monitor and adjust, monitor and adjust, and monitor and adjust.  But…you will make the right choices because you will think about your students above all else.

(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)
(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)

So, plan and prepare away, Teacher.  We do need to plan, I am not saying we don’t.  I am just saying that I think we need to let go of some of the Sunday, pre-week stress.  It will all work out by Friday if we keep our students as our focus and make the needed weekly choices based on them and not the pressures that come from sources that are not our students.

I promise you, I am speaking to myself as much as I am to you…if not more!

Let’s remember our lost goal this week as we get ready for Monday…our students and their needs.

Let’s remember and breathe.

Breathe in.  Breathe out.

This is going to be a great week!

You will be ready when the curtain goes up tomorrow!

You are so awesome!  You are one amazing teacher!  You are going to make an impact on those students of yours this week, I just know it!  I believe in you because you believe in your students!  Be amazing and awesome this week!  I know you will be!  Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

PS…Just have to share!  I remembered that I had some cool video editing software.  I did a little experimental project.  It is not great, but it is a start into adding some Dear Teacher/Love Teacher videos into the mix of encouragement.  What do you think?  Be nice.  🙂

Motivational ABCs: The Movie

Posted in Change the World Challenge, General Inspiration, Pep Talk

Waitin’ on the World to Change


(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)
(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)

Dear Teacher,

Last Friday, I accidentally kicked off a theme that carried through for a week.  The challenge of changing the world.  When I wrote it, i did not know that it would resonate with people so much…one of those people being me.  It has stuck with me this week.  The idea that we, especially we teachers, can change the world is a powerful idea.  Not only is it powerful, it is true.

Anyone person can change the world.  Teachers have a chance to multiply their change almost exponentially…only the change is done person-to-person and one student at a time.  You, me, and every other teacher needs to realize this.  It is really what we do.  It is a part of the job,  It is really part of the focus of what we do.  We influence students.  We help them to learn, think, and stand on their own.

Students’ personal change while they are in our class, that change that will allow them to face a world that does not yet exist, is the goal.  The content is not the goal..though it is the medium through which we teach the skills they need for the world ahead of them…it is the means to the end, not the end itself.  We are planting seeds for the future, and the subject and details we teach are just the outer layer of the seed.

Students.  They are our “clients.”  They are who we work for.  They are the concentration area of our job.  They are the center of the plans we make for what we do.  They are the end goal of our work.  They are the work we do.  Pure and simple.  Students are the change the world needs.  We help them learn to be that change.  Period.  The end.  Students.

So…we change the world by focusing on students.

Now what?

The hardest part.  We wait.  We wait for the world to change.  We wait for the seeds to grow.  We wait for the plant to mature.  We wait for the adult plant to spread seeds of its own.  It is the life cycle of plants.  It is the life cycle of teaching.  It is the life cycle of world change.

It is more than waiting though.  When I say that we wait on the world to change, I am not talking about waiting like in the John Mayer song.  It is not sitting back and waiting for something to happen.  It is not waiting for the world to change itself.  We, as teachers, don’t wait that way…and we should teach our students not to wait that way.

We proactively wait.  We keep digging.  We keep planting more seeds.  We keep working on changing the world.  We influence more and more people.  We connect with more and more students (especially the difficult ones).  We keep on going day after day after day.  We never give up trying until start seeing some change in some way every where we look.

We work to cause the conditions of change.  We wait for change.  While we wait, we cause more conditions for change.  We wait.  While we wait, we…well, you get my drift here.  We keep going.

The world WILL change.  You are a part of it.  To quote from the Kid President song I shared last week, “The world can be better, and you’ll be the cause.”  Change is coming.  We just have to work and wait….and “keep going, keep going, keep going.”

(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)
(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)

You an agent of change for AWESOME…because you are awesome.  Keep going.  Just because you don’t see change, it doesn’t mean that it is not happening.  You are doing what it takes!  Keep doing what you do, you amazing teacher, you!  Keep going.  Keep on teaching, Teacher!  Oh, and keep going (did I mention that?)!

Love, Teacher

Posted in Challenge, General Inspiration, Pep Talk, Reason for Teaching, Reflection

The Lost Goal


Dear Teacher,

I am in the trenches with you!  This has been a long week.  I am tired.  I am beat up.  I am worn out.  I am not broken, but I am a little battered.

Do you feel the same way?  If not today, have you recently?

I talk a lot about the pressures and struggles of teaching and the difficulty in finding balance while juggling a thousand things at once.  I won’t remind us of that today.  We know what we have to do.  We know how hard it is.  We don’t need to be re-educated on those things we know oh so well.

I am in a reflective mood.  In this time of reflection, I am thinking a lot about what are really the roots of my frustration right now.  I really don’t think it has anything to do with the students.  I don’t think it is the burden of having so many responsibilities every minute of every day.  I don’t think it is the pressures form above me in the hierarchy of things.  I don’t think it is the content or curriculum.  I don’t think it has much to do with the job of teaching at all.  I think it has everything to do with me.

I don’t think I have focus.

I am not saying that I am not focused as a teacher.  I am not saying that I am not looking to the standards for direction.  I am not saying that I have forgotten my heart for students.  I am not saying I do not see my place in the span of things at my school.  I think I have a focus on all of these things, and everything else that I should.

And therein lies the problem.

The funny thing about focus is that it is very specific and pointed.  When you focus on something, everything around it is slightly more blurry, even if just an imperceptible amount.  You cannot truly have more than one focus.

What you focus on is the center of what you do.  Everything else gets a little less attention and energy.  It has to be this way.  If it is not, then you are not really focused on anything.

When you focus on more than one thing at the same time (or many, many, many things), your energy is scattered.  Your mind is scattered.  Your heart and your soul is scattered.

When you are scattered, you are all over the place.  You cannot sustain that.  It will lead to frustration, heartache, and burnout.  You can not run in more than one direction.  You can not have more than one main goal.  It just is not possible, at least not at the level it takes to be effective and meaningful.

So, that leaves me with the question, “What do I do now, Self?”

I find the goal that matters most.  The goal that I lost along the way.  I make that my focus.  I give that my energy.  I give that my all.

And what is that goal?

I don’t even have to think about the question to answer it.  My students are my goal.  Their growth, maturity, and becoming learners and people that care about other people is what I personally care the most about.  Their who I work for, in essence.  They are my reason for all that I do as a teacher.

What does this mean, then, to what I do day-to-day?

It means I weigh decisions based on what they need.  It means I get to know them so that I know what they need.  I means that I make sure I am not losing them for the sake of lesser goals (like following lesson plans to a “t,” sticking to a strategy that I am told is excellent when it is not working for my students, or staying “on-pace” when my students are falling behind).  It means that I work on finding strategies that work for them.  It means I am willing to have more than one lesson plan for the day because some students need a little more than others.  It means I differentiate,  I means I encourage and affirm them.  It means I write notes, make parent phone calls, and take time to just say, “Hi, how are you doing?”  It means that I never give up.  It means that I find a way to reach each and every one of my students.  No matter what!

(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)
(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)

If I find the lost goal…if I make the old goal my new one…if I commit to keeping my focus where it matters most…I will change the world.  I will change my students.  I will change myself.

I don’t know if this rang true to you, but it is an open and honest reflection for me.  This was needed.  Thanks for reading if you made it this far!  Do you need to readjust your focus, too?  Join me in doing that today!

You are awesome!  If you are here, it is because you are trying to be the best teacher you can be and looking for a boost of encouragement to keep up the fight.  I hope you found that today.  You deserve to be encouraged!  You are a great, awesome, and amazing teacher!  Your students are your goal.  They are what really matter.  Keep going.  Keep fighting.  Keep making that difference!  Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

Posted in Challenge, Change the World Challenge, General Inspiration, Pep Talk

Change the World


Dear Teacher,

Last Friday, I gave you a (seemingly) impossible mission.  I asked you to change the world.  I have to say, I was overwhelmed by the response.  The idea really seemed to connect to people.  I know that it really connected to me.  I have been thinking a lot about the idea of what it takes to change the world and how I can do so as “just one teacher.”

For this reason, the weekly theme song (and theme for the week) is going to build on the post from Friday.  This week is going to be all about changing the world.  Are you going to ride along with me and help me spark some change?  Click play and then read on!

The world is a mess.  I think we all feel it.  Even the most optimistic among us have to admit that there is a lot wrong with the world at-large.  We know it is that way.  We know it, and our students know it.

Some of us, though, those optimistic ones I mentioned, don’t see the world as static.  It is dynamic.  It can change.  Pardon my nerdy-ness for a moment, but we at Earth’s surface are moving at over 1000 miles per hour as the planet rotates on its axis.  We are moving fast, this should remind us that the world does not stand still.  It is moving, it is changing, and the society world can move and change just as quickly.

So, the world can change.

If it can change, let’s change it.

Simple, right?

Maybe.

What would we do if we could change it?  Or what would we do if we could change our own little corner of it?  What would we want it to be like?  What changes would we like to see?

I think this would be debatable…thus politics and politicians.  There are so many differing opinions on what the world should be like.  Some religions are built around thoughts on what the world should “change” to be like.  This one of the hard parts of change.  Opinions and beliefs.

I think there is one area of agreement, for the most part, across the board.  We all wish the world was better.  We wish it were nicer.  We wish it were more encouraging.  It boils down to one thing…

Kindness.

We all wish the world, and everyone in it, were kinder.  Kindness is the key.  Kindness is the change that most people could come to a consensus upon.  Kindness is change that most of us can agree on.

There is something cool about this.  Kindness is the easiest change to bring.  Kindness is a change that spreads.  Kindness can be like a virus that goes from one person to the next.  The change that is kindness can start with one person.  Kindness is the kind of change that can start with you.

To start a revolution of kindness is simple.  Be kind.  I am not talking polite, well-mannered, or moral.  I mean kind.  Kindness that can only come from the heart.  It has to be genuine and true.  It has to not care about who it is aimed at.  Kindness is not “payback” for kindness shown.  Kindness is given freely and to everyone.  It is given especially to those who are not kind to you.

What kind of kindness changes the world?  How can you do it?

Show kindness to EVERYONE around you.  Do small things.  Say “hello” to everyone you see.  “Good morning.  How are you?” are two powerful phrases.  High-fives and smiles can change a person’s day, and they, in turn, will help change the day for others.  “Good job.”  “I like your shoes.”   “You are awesome.”  These are just words, but they are powerful words of kindness…doubly so when they are random and barely deserved.

Kindness is a feeling that is passed through action.  Kindness makes you want to be kind to others.  Kindness changes your perspective.  Kindness wants you to do better and be better.  Kindness is an agent of change, and we so often forget it.

So…you want to change the world?  Be kind.  Let kindness be the world that people think of when they think of you.  Let there be a drop of kindness in each of your footprints each and every day.

(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)
(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)

Your kindness will change people’s world.  They will be kind and change the world of others.  Those people will turn and do the same.  Before you know it, you (one person) have change the world!

So, how do you feel about this, Teacher?  I know that you do little acts of kindness every day.  You are a teacher, it comes with the job.  Can you be more intentional about it, though.  Can you be purposefully kind today, tomorrow, and from now on?

Today’s Change-the-World Challenge:  Give 50 high-fives.

Can you do that?  Let me add to it to make it a little harder…half, 25, of these have to be random and undeserved.  Oh, and make at least ten with an adult and not student.  Can you do this today?  I know that it sounds a little crazy, but I think you will see it causes a change in you as you try to do this, and I think you will see quite a reaction in others.  Want to give it a shot?

I hope you have a great day and great week.  You are so awesome!  You are changing the world!  You are an amazing teacher!  Keep on teaching and changing the world, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

PS… The “Kindness” poster/graphic is available as a part of a set of printable posters that is available to buy.  I know I keep talking about it, but I am so excited about these posters and how they can motivate students (intrinsically) to keep moving and pressing on!  The Motivational ABCs Poster/Word Wall are available in the Dear Teacher/Love Teacher TeachersPayTeachers Store…check it out, if you haven’t had the chance!  The image in this post is one of the printable posters in the set.  Oh, and the posters are on a deep discount sale this week!  You have $2 to motivate students, don’t you?  🙂

Posted in Challenge, General Inspiration, Homework Assignment

Mission (seemingly) Impossible


(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)
(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use the image if you link back to the blog and/or give credit to Dear Teacher/Love Teacher)

Dear Teacher,

Great Friday morning to you!  How are you doing?  Did you survive the week?  Did you thrive this week?  Somewhere in the middle?  Well, it is Friday, and, no matter what, you made it through!

This week I have written to you a lot about the overwhelming-ness of our profession.  I have talked a lot about focusing on what is important and letting some of the non-priorities sit on the back-burner.  Today, I am going to ask you to add something to your load and your “to-do” list.

Seems kind of hypocritical, I know.  Just stay with me.  I think this lines up with what I have been talking about this week.  I hope, at least.

I want to give you an assignment.  It is has four parts to it, but one main goal.  It is going to seem impossible, but I know you can do it.  I want you to change the world.

Yes.  Change the world.  I am pretty sure you can do it.  No.  I know you can do it.

I know you are one person.  I know the world is big.  I know the problems in the world are often looming just on this side of disaster.  I know you are just a tiny cog in the big machine of the entire world.  But you can change things.  I want you to do just that.

Let’s take a little movie break before I give the details of your assignment.  Kevin Spacey playing an awesome movie teacher in Pay It Forward does a much better job of explaining how to change the world than I can, anyway,

If you haven’t seen this movie, get it and watch it.  It is your extra credit assignment.  🙂

The theme of the movie is simple.  One person can truly affect the world and kindness will always win over the negative forces in this world eventually.  I know that it can seem a little idealistic, but I don’t think it is very far fetched at all.  Just like a pebble thrown into a puddle affects the whole puddle, the splash of one person being different than everyone else can cause those around them to change, those who were changed will change others, those people will change others, and so on and so on.

So, I want you to change the world.

“Okay. DearTeacherLoveTeacher, how do you think I am going to change the world?”

I am glad you asked.  It is time for your assignment.  Before you read the assignment though. play this song by the Kid President and then read while it is playing.  It makes a nice theme song for the assignment, AND he is one of the greatest examples of the pay-it-forward-attitude I have ever heard of!  I shared this song last Friday, but it is worth a second share.

Changing the World in Four Easy (slightly impossible) Steps

  1. Change Your World– Make a plan to do one thing to de-stress your school life.  Make a plan to do one thing every week that you can do to change your stress level at school.  It could be taking a break for for five minutes somewhere in the week and just breathing and remembering why you love to teach.  It could be taking one morning coffee break in the week when you are not thinking about school work.  It can be choosing one thing to “let go” each week that is a non-priority.  But this part of the assignment is a plan, and then you have to follow it.
  2. Change Another Teacher’s World– Make a plan to do one encouraging thing for another teacher each week, and it has to be a different teacher each week.  It can be hand-written notes (which is my favorite to do).  It can be to lend a hand in a time of need.  It can be a random act of awesome like bringing something in for a teacher (like chocolate or coffee).  Just do something every week for a teacher.  Try to get to everyone in your school throughout the year.  Just one a week.  You can do that!
  3. Change a Student’s World– Make a plan to do one majorly encouraging thing for one student a week.  Much like the teacher part of the assignment.  Do something like write a note, have a conversation that is not related to grades or content, give them a random piece of candy, something out of the blue.  This is not the normal things we should be doing, this is more over the top and random.  It is surprising how much this can change someone’s outlook.  You can be an over-achiever and do this for more than one student each week, but do at least one.  YOU HAVE TO PLAN TO DO THIS EACH WEEK.  If you don’t plan, it will fall to the wayside,  Jot a note for who and what to do on a sticky note each week or put a coded reminder to do this in your lesson plans.  You have to plan for it though.
  4. Change the World– Do a random act of kindness for someone outside of school.  This has to be big, random, and something that someone won’t forget.  I am talking Pay it Forward big.  Do something that will change how someone is feeling about people and the world.  Something they could not do themselves.  Then ask them to do the same for others.  Kindness will change the world.  It is the only way the world will get better.

After you have had some time to think, come back here and share your plans for 1-3.  Don’t share #4.  That one should be personal.  Don’t share it on the internet.  It is more for you and the person you help than for everyone.  If you talk to much about it, you take away from the kindness factor!  I do want you to share 1-3 so that we can all hold you to your plans.

Oh, and more extra credit…share this post with all of the teachers you know.  Give them this assignment.  Let’s change the world!

So, this is your mission, if you choose to accept it.  What do you think?  Are you going to change the world with me?

You are awesome.  You are changing the world already.  This is just a push to be more intentional in doing so.  I know you can do it!  You are amazing!  Keep on teaching and keep on changing the world, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

PS…If writing notes is a part of your plan to change the world for teachers and students, there are some really fun printable Awesome Notes  that you can write on the back of in the Dear Teacher/Love Teacher Teachers Pay Teachers Store.  They are a big hit with teachers and students at my school.  The students love getting them and teachers love using them.  Just a little plug.  There are 10 notes in the mega pack, and there is a free sample of the notes in the store.  The mega pack is only $2.  They are not necessary for your assignment, just a fun little way to do it.  🙂

Oh, and the Kindness poster/graphic is available as a part of the Motivational ABCs Poster/Word Wall collection in the TpT store, as well.