Dear Teacher – Page 8 – Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Choose Positive, General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Pep Talk, Theme Song

Wake Up Everybody (teachers and students, too)

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

I know, since most of you that read my blog are from the US, are headed for an extended break this week. I have been pondering about what I should write about at the start of a week like this. Do I do a full message on a short week? What should I talk about? What do I need to hear? What do you need to hear?

I think I know.

But first, it is Monday, so you know what to do. This post has a theme song and it is your theme song for the week. I am sure that I have heard this song before, but it was fresh to me this morning as I looked for a song that went with the theme for this morning. I like it. I am glad to have this song in my head this week and I hope you will be, too.

So, what do I think we teachers need to hear about this week?

What is a message that we need to hear about on this week when we think about what we are thankful for?

What do teachers need this week?

Hope.

Hope is a state of mind. Hope is an expectation of a positive future something (event, change, etc.). Hope is an outlook on the world that changes our perspective on what is happening. Hope is a contagious catalyst for emotions that drive us from negative to positive thoughts and actions.

Hope changes us. Hope makes us stronger. Hope makes us work harder. Hope lets us persevere through the difficulties and stress we go through until our hope is realized and materialized on the other side of obstacles.

What is hope for a teacher?

Students are our hope. We can not lose them as the focus of what we do. We teach because we want to see a change in students. We want them to become productive adults one day. We want them to learn and learn on their own. We want to see them become the leaders of tomorrow. We want them, in essence, to change the future and what we are experiencing now.

Students are our hope.

Because students are our hope, we can get through anything. All of the little things that we have to go through and put up with are nothing when we remember that we are doing what we do for the sake of students. When we have to pick and chose what can actually be done of the millions of expectations that are put on us, when we prioritize, we remember this hope and make our choices based on this, on them, on our students.

When we plan, we think of what we are planning for. When we grade, we think of what we are grading for. When we go to meetings, we think about what those meetings are for. When we go to PD, when we read, when we _______________ (you fill in the blank), we remember what all of these things are for.

The “what” that these things are for is really a “who.” It is for our students. It is for their future. They are the hope we need.

When you have a bad day…remember your hope. When your students are not doing what you planned…remember your hope. When that one student gets on your last nerve…remember your hope. When your fellow teachers make things difficult for you…remember your hope. When your administration seems to add stress after stress…remember you hope. When you feel like you are on the edge of burnout and just can’t go on any more…remember your hope.

Remember your hope.

Your hope is your students.

Remember your hope this week.

I know that it is a shorter week, but do not lose sight of that. It is still time that you have with your students. It is still time to teach them. It is still time to influence them. It is still time to make a difference.

Students are your hope.

As you remember what you are thankful for, remember to be thankful for your hope. Be thankful for the reason that you are a teacher. Be thankful for the very purpose that you get up each and every day and muddle through all that you have to go through. Be thankful for the hope of the future. Be thankful for your students!

I would like to add, that you, Teacher, are a part of my hope. You going on gives me hope. You getting through the tough parts of what we do gives me hope. You teaching your heart out gives me hope. You not giving up your hope gives me hope.

Thank you for being my hope. I am thankful for you!

(c)DearTeacherLT2013 (You may use this picture if you link back to my blog.)

You are awesome! You are amazing! You have a hope that keeps you going. Don’t forget that hope! You are making a difference! Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, Reflection, Weekend Note

As You Look Back…

Posted on November 23, 2013November 23, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

How was your week? Was it a rough one? Was it a “blah” one? Was it the best week ever?

Looking back is a part of our job. It is a part of what we do. It is a part of who we are. It is a vital function to the process of teaching. We have to do it. Good or bad, we have to analyze the week. What went wrong? What went right? What worked? What didn’t? Where did you thrive? Where did you fall on your face?

Reflection can be hard. It is hard to relive the week, sometimes. But we need to do it. We have to. As painful as it can be, we have to go through it day by day. This is the only way to become a better teacher and let your awesome shine in the weeks to come.

As you look back, though, focus. What matters most? What are the most important things that you need to do in your role as a teacher at your school (and any other roles that you might have)? What do your students need most? What do they need to learn? What do they need to learn about learning for themselves? What do your students need outside of learning? What do they need to become better, independent Earth dwellers one day?

What does your school need from you most? What do your colleagues need from you? What does your family need from you? What do you need from you? I mean truly need.

What matters most?

Let what matters most be the mirror that you judge yourself by. There are so many little things, the minutia of teaching, that can get us wrapped around the axle of the teacher’s life. These things can stress us out. These are the things that wipe us out. These are the things that can lead to burnout quickest. These are the things that don’t lead to what matters most.

Don’t reflect by these muddle puddles. They are fun-house mirrors. They are not a real reflection of you as a teacher. They do not show you who you really are. They are a false reflection. Don’t judge yourself by these things! Easier said than done, but you are going to have to let those things go.

Let them go.

Focus.

What matters most?

Use the “matters most” for reflection. How was your week when you look at those things? What do you need to change? What are you doing well? How will you make the “matters most” matter more next week?

Look back, Teacher. How are you doing? How was this week?

You are awesome! You know what matters most. You know how to let the other stuff go. You are making a difference…what matters most is your goal. This makes you amazing! Keep on focusing and keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

Get Psyched!, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, Picture Note, Poster/Graphic

Well Done!

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

A little message for the end of your week. You are awesome! You have made it! Well done! Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, Pep Talk, Perseverance

What You Are Not…

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

I have written to you a lot about what you are as a teacher. You are a world-changer. You are a superhero. You are a live-saver. You are a future-molder…

You are tired. You are stressed. You are over-worked. You are overwhelmed. You are beat-up. You are burned out.

You are a teacher.

Today I want to do something a little different. I want to mention something that you are not. It is something that you need to hear and be reminded of each and every day.

You, Teacher, are not alone.

Since last Friday, I have received more feedback than I ever gotten about the blog. Goodness No!, Be The Shark, and Superheroes and Alter-Egos have really resounded with teachers. There have been so many messages of “thanks” and “I needed to hear that.” The common theme seems to be that what I am saying is what you all are going through.

The funny part is that with all three of these posts, I truly was writing to myself. I was speaking to what I am feeling and going through. I was trying to remind myself to remember why I do what I do in all of the busyness and stress of teaching. I was talking to me and letting you listen in.

Teachers from all over the world have said, “That is me, too. I am going through those things. I am having those thoughts. That is how I feel. Thank you for the reminders of why I teach and what is important!”

You know what this means?

We are not alone.

No matter how you feel at your school, in your grade level, in your subject area, or whatever your teaching situation, you are not on your own. What you are going through is common. What you are feeling is not odd. You don’t have to feel lonely as a teacher because the teachers around you aren’t feeling the same way. Other teachers ARE going through what you are going through. The teachers you work with probably are, too, they are just hiding it well.

You are not alone.

Do not be ashamed of feeling tired and overwhelmed. Don’t be embarrassed by the burnout. Don’t feel bad when you mess up, lose your cool, or just want to give up. You are not the only one. You can get through it. You can get past it. You can get back to who you are and why you love to teach.

We know what you feel like because we feel it to…you are not alone because the whole world of teachers is with you.

Feel like giving up? You are not alone.

Burned out? Beat up? Beat down? You are not alone.

Stressed? Overwhelmed? Exhausted? You are not alone.

Feeling isolated and lonely in what you are experiencing in teacherhood? You most definitely are not isolated and alone…we are right there with you.

Feel like you are the only one who feels the way you do? You aren’t. You are not alone.

Have I said it enough? You are not alone.

“So what? I am not alone. I get it. Now what?”

Knowing you are not alone is a great place to start. It reminds you that other people have experienced, are experiencing, and will experience what you are experiencing. This thought alone gives you hope. Hope leads to perseverance. Perseverance keeps you going. Going and pushing on lets you get through what you are going through. Getting through gives you perspective and helps you keep going next time you get on this cycle. AND…all of this helps you to remember why you teach and keeps you on that teaching path…no matter what the world and life and teaching throws at you.

So…know you are not alone and let this give you hope.

You can make it. You can get through. You can push on. You can. You can. You can. You can because you are not alone!

You are awesome! You will keep going. You are making a difference and you will keep making a difference. You are amazing and YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Remember this and keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

General Inspiration, Note to Teachers, Pep Talk

Be The Shark…Just Keep Swimming

Posted on November 19, 2013November 19, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

Yesterday I mentioned that I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with the many things to do and the lack of time to get them done. Today is not much different…well, in a way it is worse because a pending “one more thing on my plate” has been served to me so I am balancing yet one more responsibility in my now exhausted arms. BUT, I did feel that I needed to write today. I am talking to myself today, but you are welcomed to listen in. 🙂

Sharks are awesome. Not that it needed to be said, but it is so very true. Sharks are cool. I have thought so since I was a kid. I never really grew out of it. Then again, who has? There is a reason that Shark Week has been going strong for all of these years.

I have a renewed love of sharks as this is my second year teaching animals (I am a Science teacher). Sharks are a fascinating fish, creature of the sea, and inhabitant of our little blue planet. There are so many types and each group is different from the others. They cannot be lumped all together and very few assumptions about sharks are true for all of them. Each shark species has its own interesting characteristics and quirks.

One of these quirks you may or may not know about, and it came to mind today as I was think about how I feel like I have so much to do that I don’t know where or how to start. Some sharks, especially the bigger predators have to keep swimming to live. Without movement water does not move through their gills. Without water in the gills oxygen cannot be taken in. Without oxygen, respiration stops. Without respiration, well, RIP Mr. or Mrs. Shark.

Movement is necessary. Movement is vital. Movement is non-negotiable. Movement is life.

If the Great White does not swim, the Great White will die. Sure, it is the big bad fish of the ocean that can take on almost any challenger (I know, other nerd-types like me, Tiger Sharks are actually the most dangerous predator…just let me keep writing). Sure the Great White is one of the most feared creatures in the world. Sure, none can stand (or swim) with it present and not be pretty fearful. However, even the mighty Great White is powerless without movement. It has to swim. Just like Dory, Great White need to “just keep swimming.”

You probably see where I am taking this. I think Teachers are awesome. We are the sharks of society. I don’t mean that in the classical metaphor of “shark” for a person. I mean that we are a group that is very often misunderstood. We can’t be pigeon-holed together as one type of teacher. We are all different. We are not the same. We have our own characteristics and quirks.

We are also ferocious. We, in society, are taking on foes that few people want to fight. We are fighting illiteracy, poverty, neglect, low-self esteem, triggers that lead students in to gangs, environments that can lead to drugs, and so many other things that a list is impossible. We are big, bad sharks. We are like Great Whites in this way. We are fighters. We do what few others can.

Yet, we need to remember to keep swimming. We have to. It is the only way to stay alive. We have to move. We have to keep moving. We can’t be overwhelmed. We will drown. We will die as teachers. We have to keep moving, swimming, and going.

So, when there are a million things to do, pick the most important, choose a direction, and then get going. Do something. Do not stay still. Move! Go! Swim!

You can do this! You are the shark! Start swimming today, keep going, and don’t stop. You’ve got this. Today is yours.

Just keep swimming!

You are awesome! You are a shark in the lives of your students, in a good way. You are fighting battles that they cannot fight on their own. You are also busy, tired, and overwhelmed. Don’t give up! You are too amazing to give up! Just keep swimming and keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

General Inspiration, Teacher Testimony, Thank You!

Thank You Note (from another Teacher who was once a student)

Posted on November 12, 2013November 12, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

Thank you. I mean it. Really. Thank you!

As a former student, I thank you for the time you took to plan. I thank you for the hours you put into your lessons, but also your willingness to let that time go when opportunities happened in the classroom for deeper learning and you scrapped your plans to teach where we, the students, were are the time.

Thank you for the time you took to set up your classroom. Thank you for the posters and funny jokes about math. Thank you for giving me something to look at in the moments of distraction that helped my mind get back to learning. Thank you for the seating charts and seating changes that helped me learn better, even if I or other students fought them.

Thank you for the care you showed. Day after day, I could never doubt that you cared about me. Though I may not have loved your class, your subject, or thought you were cool, I did ALWAYS know that you cared about me. That really did make me care about what you were trying to teach. I definitely cannot deny it.

Thank you for going the extra mile for me. Thank you for being a great teacher. Thank you for trying new strategies. Thank you for staying after school. Thank you for quick turnaround in grading. Thank you for…well…everything.

Thank you, Teacher!

Thank you.

I am a better teacher because I have your shoulders to stand on. I am better for my students because you were a better teacher than I am. But I am learning. You set a high bar, but I hope to one day reach that goal. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Did I mention, “Thank you”?

We do not hear it enough, and because of that sometimes we lose focus. We are affecting our students, though. This was a heartfelt letter to teachers from my past. We do make a difference. We do. Let us remember why we do what we do and put up with what we put up with. It is for the students. Who knows, you might be teaching the next great teacher! Keep your focus and do what you know to do, and do it well. You are awesome so I know that you will.

Keep on teaching, you amazing Teacher, you!

Love, Teacher

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

Tuesday Reminder…

Posted on November 5, 2013 by 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!

Challenge, General Inspiration, Homework Assignment

Mission (seemingly) Impossible

Posted on October 25, 2013 by 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

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.
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!
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.
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.

Cheer Up, General Inspiration, Picture Note, Poster/Graphic, Thank You!

Letter from the World (that you may never get)

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

I know that we all struggle through the tough patches of working in a somewhat thankless career. More than that, we are often scrutinized and demeaned by people who just don’t understand what we do. That can be hard, but we take it in stride and keep pressing on, even if no one notices. That is what makes us awesome. That is what makes you awesome!

I have put words to the unspoken thanks of students in the past, but I thought this morning I might give words to the unspoken thanks to someone else. I know this letter will probably never happen, but I am sure that there are those out there who definitely feel this way. So here is a letter to us from the world at-large.

Know that it is all true, even if we seldom hear it. Read it, smile, and know you are awesome. Share it with other teachers and lets get this Encouragement Revolution kicked into high gear today!

You are awesome. You are amazing. You are making a difference, even if it is only in the background where very few see it. You are making the future, and the world thanks you! I thank you! Thank you, Teacher! Keep on teaching!

Love, Teacher

PS…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? 🙂

General Inspiration, Get Psyched!, Pep Talk, Perseverance

The Attitude of Edison

Posted on October 23, 2013August 20, 2015 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

Don’t give up. That is basically all that I want to tell you this morning. Just don’t give up. Don’t stop.

I know that the weight of teaching is heavy. We push and push, but the push back is often more intense.

We can see what our students need more than they can. You know your students. You know how close they are to understand what you are teaching them. You know how close they are to becoming more complete self-learners.

But the resistance makes it hard to keep moving.

You are beat up. You are tired. You are exhausted. You have very little left to give.

It would be easier to drop back and punt…you can try again another day.

Don’t stop. Don’t give in. Don’t move back. Keep pushing. Keep going!

You don’t see it from where you are, but you are so very close to success with your students. You see how close they are, but guess what? You are SO CLOSE to getting them there. I know it is hard, but don’t stop!

Find your reserves. You have some hidden energy and strength left. Find it. Use it. You are seriously almost there. Just give a little more. You can do this. I know you can because you are awesome!

Two of my favorite quotes of all time are from Thomas Edison:

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

You are on the verge of success. A miracle is on the horizon. Chase it. Go for it. You are almost there! Push on. Further on and further in. You’ve got this, you amazing Teacher, you!

Take on the the attitude of Edison today. Don’t give up. Don’t let apparent failures stop you. Failure never means you can’t do something, it just means you need to keep trying and find some new ways.

You don’t have to stop. You have this. You are close. Keep going and keep moving forward!

Your students will watch you, they will learn to do the same thing. They won’t give up and snatch defeat from the jaws of looming victory. They will keep trying until they get it…just like they saw you do.

Don’t give up!

You are an amazingly awesome teacher! You have what it takes. You have the strength and fortitude. Prove it today! You will see success, so keep pushing on and keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

PS…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 (or Growth Mindset ABC’s) 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.