teachers – Page 2 – Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

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

The Real Key to Change in Education

Posted on October 21, 2014September 10, 2015 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

We live in a world that is trying to figure out how to change the state of education. Common Core this. Latest, greatest PD that. Technology. Strategies. Best practices.

Name your teaching cliche.

People who do not teach or haven’t taught in a while tell us how we need to teach.

Not that any of what I mentioned is necessarily bad…that is not my point. There is just so much that we are asked and told to do. Sometimes we are even treated as if we don’t have a clue about how to teach.

It can be overwhelming. It can be frustrating. It can be irritating.

Trust me, I know. I live it every day, just like you.

But, if I may, let me encourage you with one thought.

You know something that the education problem-solvers do not know. It is the one thing that will make more of a difference than any work of legislation or professional development breakthrough.

You know your students.

You see them every day. You talk to them. You see how they work. You know their struggles. You know their names. You know their parents. You know their personalities. You know them.

You know them like few others do.

This is what makes you special. This is what gives you the edge. This is how you will change education.

Don’t be afraid to make choices based on what you know…your students. Have courage to make a stand when it needs to be made. Be brave and do what needs to be done.

You know your students. You know what they need. You know how to get things done. Get them done. Make a change!

You are smart, experienced, and capable, Teacher. You can do this. Listen to the voices out there, but take everything with a grain of salt. You can do this. You can make the change that needs to be made in the lives of your students. You really can make a difference. Get out there and make it!

You are awesome. You are the key to educational change. Go in confidence today! You’ve got this. You are amazing! Change those students’ lives! Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, Pep Talk, Perseverance, Picture Note, Poster/Graphic, Reason for Teaching, You Are Awesome!!!

Ordinary Teaching Makes Extraordinary Teachers

Posted on October 15, 2014October 15, 2014 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

I don’t know what kind of day you have had or week you are having, but I want to encourage you. Keep doing those every day things that you do. The every-day adds up. It is the day-to-day that builds into your awesomeness.

You don’t hear “thank you” enough. So let me thank you.

Thank you, Teacher. You do what needs to be done. You are changing the future one day at a time. You are awesome! Never give up! Keep on teaching and turning the ordinary into extraordinary!

Love, Teacher

General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Note from Student, Note to Teachers, Pep Talk, Perseverance, Picture Note, Poster/Graphic, Thank You!, You Are Awesome!!!

(Unspoken) Words from Your Students

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

You are amazing. You know that, right? You give your students what they need before they need it. Almost like magic!

You work hard. You make choices for the best that students disagree with. You are patient. You are kind. You are nice. Even when you don’t feel like you can be.

You will seldom be thanked…especially by the toughest of students.

They will appreciate what you have done and are doing…one day.

They do not always have the words now to tell you.

So…this note is for you. Here are the words (unspoken) that your students aren’t ready or can’t say yet. They are still true.

Take them to heart. Be encouraged. Let a smile rise to your lips. It is okay. You can feel the pride. You deserve it!

Don’t give up! Do all that you do and keep doing it well. Keep on teaching, Teacher! You are AWESOME!

Love, Teacher

PS…Pass this one one to a teacher that you know needs to hear this! Also, please comment with a story about a time a student has been able to thank you for your hard work for them. 🙂

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

It’s Go Time…

Posted on September 8, 2014September 8, 2014 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

Movie break. This one of my favorite scenes from the movie Tommy Boy. Give it a quick watch and then read. I promise, there is a point.

“Why did I just watch this?”

I will be honest, when I went to write, I had this idea of writing about Monday being “Go Time” for teachers and I went looking for the scene when it was said in this movie. However, watching the clip brought a message to mind for me that I need to hear (even if it is hearing it from myself). This clip has a lot to do with teaching.

So often we feel like things are going well in a class or all of our classes. We have done all of the right things, as far as we know. We are using the best strategies. We are integrating. We are differentiating. We are rigorizing (yes, I just made up a word). We are doing everything a teacher should be doing…then…

BOOM!

Something hits us out of left field and destroys the classroom peace and joy that we thought we had. It could be a student meltdown. It could be a parent issue. I could be an administration situation. It could be a number of things that suddenly send us in a tailspin and weave us all over our little teaching road.

Before we know it we are in a fight for our teaching lives.

Then the chaos dies down.

We survived.

The dust settles.

Blame gets assigned.

Usually, the fight is with ourselves. What did we do wrong? What could we have done different? Why did we not think of the issue that happened? So on and so on and so on.

Sometimes the fight is with others. A power struggle with students. A disagreement with parents. An accusation from administration or other teachers.

Who ever the fight is with, it usually starts at the blame game.

The part of the scene that hits me the most is when Tommy said, “I am trying my best. I am not my dad.”

How often do we feel that way? Okay, probably not the “dad” part, but we do compare ourselves to others, especially to the teachers that seem to make being a great teacher look easy.

When we get to that point where we feel like we can’t do better than we are because we are trying “our best” is when we need to pause, take a deep breath, and think before we act.

This is where we are most defensive. Because of that, we are also at the point when we can be the most stupid. In this movie scene there was a literal fight. But in teaching we can make bad choices when we feel this way…choices we may regret later.

Our “go time” needs to be different.

We need to make choices that will help and not hurt the situation. Choices that we can learn from. Choices that our students will see and learn from. Choices that will help us not get to this point in the future.

Sorry for the vagueness here, but every has different situations and triggers that get us to this point in teaching on any given day.

Luckily, the solutions are pretty much the same for most scenarios.

There are some steps to take to help us get in the right state of mind.

Like I said, pause and breathe. Most of the time, reacting immediately leads to those poor choices mentioned.
Remind yourself that it is not as bad as it feels. In the moment, things are blown out of proportion. You need to keep them in perspective…even if the other person/people isn’t/aren’t. When everything is sorted out in the end, you never regret having kept thing in perspective…but you almost always regret not doing this.
Remember why you teach. When the going gets tough, it is easy to forget that you actually love teaching. Look for the silver lining or just remember that teaching is your passion…the little hiccups to teaching are always short and small in the long run.
Take as much time as you can. Delay making a decision or action on the situation as long as you can. Be like the Ents in Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. The Ents are tree-based characters and they are known for the lack of moving quickly. They try to never be hasty. One of their leaders, Treebeard, said in the book The Two Towers, “But I spoke hastily. We must not be hasty. I have become too hot. I must cool myself and think; for it is easier to shout stop! than to do it.” When you move to quickly, your choices lead to more. Stop and stay stopped before you move. It really is much easier to say stop than actually do it once you are moving.
Put the students and their needs first. When you come to decision time, focus on the student/students. What do they need most from the situation. How can you turn a negative into a positive for them.

If you try to take these steps, your “go time” will be well thought out and meaningful in the end for all that are involved.

Teacher, things come up. We face hard times. Never forget that you love teaching, and the hard times never last forever. The tough things will pass eventually. Keep on teaching your teaching best, even in spite of the difficulties sometimes.

You are so awesome! I know that the challenges don’t keep you down long. I know that with every “go time” you have you get better and better at doing them well. I sincerely hope that you have the best day ever! Never give up and always keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

Challenge, Change the World Challenge, Choose Positive, General Inspiration, Hope For Students, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers

Sometimes it only takes one…

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

We all have good days. We all have bad days. Most of the time the days are somewhere in between.

The worst, though, are the days that are great…until…that one student. That one attitude. That one event. And the apple cart is overturned.

We don’t like to talk about it, but we all know that it happens. One student, one administrator, one parent, or one situation…and our day turns south quickly.

Good days become bad days. Mediocre days become awful days. And bad days become the worst day ever.

Our attitudes are soured. Our teaching becomes less effective. We stop wanting to deal with people altogether. And it only takes one thing to cause this.

Admit it, you know what I am talking about.

It is human nature. It happens. We deal with it. We struggle to get better at not letting it happen the next time. We do get better the longer we teach…but it still happens sometimes.

I don’t have a solution here…but I want to use this as a jumping off point. One negative thing can turn our days negative.

Our students are people just like us. And, like us, sometimes it only takes one thing to change their day.

Sometimes it only takes one…

smile to make a bad day into a better day.
kind word to make a mediocre day a good day
little time and attention to make a good day a great day.

One bad thing can make a day worse, but sometimes it only takes a good thing to make a day better.

We have no idea what our students experience from day to day. We don’t really know what is going on at home. We don’t know what happened on the bus. We don’t know what they are always feeling. We can’t control this.

However, we can control the experience we give our kids from us.

I am not talking about every thing in our classroom right now, I am just talking about trying to do one thing. One positive for every student you can get one to. Who knows if that one thing can be a catalyst to brightening up their day!

If you are elementary, try to reach each student in you class with a few positives today. If you are middle or high school, try to reach each student with a couple of positives over a few days…and then start to cycle again.

It is hard some days…but you can do it. I can do it. We can be those “ones” that turn a day around (in a good way).

I know you can do it! Are you willing to take the challenge?

You are so awesome! I know that you try to be positive every day…so keep going. Try to give as many “ones” as you can today. The more seed that you plant, the more is likely to grow. Keep up those positives and keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

General Inspiration, Reason for Teaching

The Only Thing That Matters Today

Posted on August 19, 2014August 19, 2014 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

I do not know the timing of school where you are from, but for me and my American teacher friends, it is pretty close to the first day of school. That first day is for me today. When is/was it for you?

We have so much to think about to get ready for the first days and weeks of school. Sometimes it gets hard to manage all of the minutia of what needs to happen and get put together. We juggle responsibilities. We rearrange our rooms 17,000 times. We work. We sweat. And we continue this up until the minute we get our fresh crop of students to help nurture and grow.

You may or may not be still in those preparation stages, but great job! It is all worth it. Never forget that the work you put in does pay dividends later as you work with your students. All of the little things that seem important as you get ready really are important. And you own them like a boss! Great job! Keep going if you haven’t had your first day yet!

However…

Sometimes the mountain of “stuff” we need to do cause us to lose focus…especially the closer that the day comes that those new faces will be grace the threshold of your classroom. We can often get so bogged down by the things that we just have to get done that we forget who we are doing those things for. I know that I get caught up in doing that almost every year.

This year I am making a concerted effort not to do that…and it is hard. I still have things to do and the students are coming today!

This is why I am writing instead of working on any of those things here in the wee hours of the morning.

I want to remind myself of what is most important.

Two things: My students and today.

I am here for my students. That is it. Yes, I have stuff to teach them. But I need to teach them because it is important for them to learn for success in the future. My focus should always be framed by them. My students. They are what matters most. And what matters most is that I connect with them and get to know them. If I focus on that then they may just remember what it is that I have to teach them.

I must connect and built relationships with my students, especially here in the beginning of the year. This is key. This is what matters. This is what is important.

And the other thing I have to remember is that I only have today to do. Everyday all that I have is today. I need to work on building those relationships every day and day by day. That is what matters most.

I can’t waste a day. I can’t waste a minute. I must always be working on focusing on the students as I teach them and connecting with them as I do.

It is cliche, but it is really true that “students do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I need to care for my kiddos, get to know them, and always focus on what is best for them inside my classroom.

This is vital. This is key. This is what matters most!

How are you doing with this, Teacher? Are you struggling to maintain focus on what matters, like me? Don’t give up! You are awesome! I know that in the end your focus is on your students and what they need most from you.

I mean it when I say you are awesome, Teacher. You truly, truly are! You know your students are the most important part of what you do…and that you only have today to work on what is important. Keep on doing what you do and keep on teaching, Teacher! Have a great start to your year!

Love, Teacher

PS…Sorry about the editing issues. I can’t figure them out, and I do have other things to do today. 🙂

General Inspiration, Note to Teachers

Past Halfway

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

I am not sure where you are in your school year, but if you are in the Northern Hemisphere, you are probably past halfway. For me, I am in the last quarter of the year. Getting towards the end.

I find that this part of the year can be the hardest.

I am tired.

I am stressed.

I have state testing coming.

The students are getting spring and summer fever.

I have lost most of the excitement of the year.

Everything starts feeling stale.

I think I go through this every year at this point.

I think this year can be different. I think.

I can choose to feel differently.
I do not have to feel like the year is getting old. I do not have to be stressed. I can manage and prioritize so I don’t feel so tired. I can look for the excitement that I had earlier in the year.

I can choose to act differently.
Einstein said something to the effect that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect different result. I need to do things differently than I have in the past this time of year. I need to find a way to build excitement in me and the students. I need to move them towards state tests without it feeling like a grind. I need to remember what worked earlier in the year and get back to those things. I can do this. I will do this.

I can choose to focus differently.

What if I changed gears to confidence building instead of focus on the end-of-year, pre-state-test push? I don’t mean hearts, rainbows, and feelings circles kind of confidence building, but content based confidence building. I can scaffold those that need it to feeling like they really have learned some of what they need to…they have learned, even if not completely to the level I need them yet. Confidence breeds confidence. Maybe if I build momentum I can get them over the hills they are getting stuck on. The same for my kiddos that fall towards the middle. With my higher students, I can challenge them move past my content into higher levels of thinking. Make them feel and know that they will blow the state tests away. Confidence. What if I changed to that?
I can choose to be different.

I can do the things above. I can change the way I do things. I can do this. I will do this!

I can change. I will change.

What about you? Are you feeling the Past-Halfway-Grind? Can you make some adjustments? Can you change? Can you refocus? Can you be different?

You are awesome, so maybe you don’t feel this way at the end of the year. If you do, though, you are amazing enough to make those changes. You know your students need you to, so you will do the work to get it done. You make a difference every day. I believe you can make this year different. I know you will make it better. You can do this! You are a teacher! Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

Choose Positive, General Inspiration, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, Pep Talk

Two Wonderful Minutes

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Garfield Friday – Image Found: http://www.xm105fm.com/2014/01/24/for-the-drive-show-on-your-friday/

Dear Teacher,

For two wonderful, glorious minutes I thought today was Friday. Then like a slap to the face the shock set in that it was merely Thursday. It was like a cold water wake up…but now I am away to my Thursday reality.

That reality is simple:

I am a teacher.
It is a school day.
I have a job to do.
I have minds to mold.
I have hearts with which to connect.
I have students’ needs to meet.
I have arrows to block from my students.
I have monsters that need to be fought for my students.
I have content to teach.
I have concepts to make real.
I have weight that I need to carry for others.
I have lessons that need to be lessened.
I have ideas that need to be thought.
I have thoughts that need to be communicated.
I have too much to do and prioritizing that needs to happen.
I have a future to affect.
I have a world to make better.
I have a difference to make.
I have students who need me.
I have me to be.
I am a teacher.

The thing is, no matter what day of the week it is. You, I, and all teachers have one of the most important jobs in the world. We need to embrace all that we are as educators. I hear others (and myself) complain about all that we have to be for students. I am not talking about standards and administration expectations…I mean all that we have to be for students. We have to give them supplies. We have to make sure the get to where they are going. We have to remind, reteach, and re-give instructions until we can’t take it anymore. We have to be nurses. We have to be moms and dads. We have to be mentors. We have to be protectors. We have to be advocates. We have to be forgiving. We have to be patient. Oh, and we have to be teachers. We have so much that we have to be. It is easy to be overwhelmed.

I need to spend more time embracing these all-too-many roles that I have. I need to remember why I do what I do. It is because I care for my students. If they do not have what they need outside of school in these many parts we have to play, then we need to be those things and do so with pride. This is why we are in this game to start with. We are here to make a difference. We need to make that difference and do so joyfully…even when we are too tired to do so much.

And even when it is not Friday.

You are so awesome. I know you are better at embracing these things than I am. One day I will be as good as you. You are making that difference. You are embracing those roles. You are amazing! Keep on teaching and making a difference, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

Friday Note, General Inspiration, Get Psyched!, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, You Are Awesome!!!

‘Twas the day before break…

Posted on December 20, 2013December 20, 2013 by Dear Teacher/Love Teacher

Dear Teacher,

I hope you have the best break ever! You deserve it.

I am going to leave you with a little poem. Have a happy holiday season and stay safe, get rest, and get ready for 2014!

A Break from Your Classoom

‘Twas the day before break, when all through the classroom,

Each creature was stirring; the teacher, too, I assume;

The students were antsy and moving here and there;

In hopes that the clock would move faster if they stare;

The administration was nestled all snug in their offices;

With having visions of no calls about students from all of us;

And you in your holiday sweater and matching cap,

Just want to settle your brain for a long winter’s nap,

When out on the hall there arose such a clatter,

You sprang from your chair to see what was the matter.

Away to the door you flew like a flash,

Spun doorknob and moved the door with a crash.

The fluorescent light from the hallway gave off quite a glow,

You looked left and right to see what you could know,

When the noise that had traveled to your wondering ear,

Helped you realize that it was the bell that you did hear.

The end of the day really did come so quick,

It was just like a present from dear old St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles the students they came,

And they hustled and shouted, and you called them by name:

“Now, students! bye-bye students! Bye you wonderful children!

Bye, students! Do be careful as you leave this dear buildin’!

To the top of the hallway! to the top of the hall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As papers and dust in their happy wake fly,

When they meet with their bus they jump in not shy;

And back to their houses with them the bus oh it flew

With all of the girls and boys, and their energy too—

And then, in a twinkling, I heard you so true

Your prancing and dancing to your door as you did shoo.

You got in your car without turning around,

Down the parking lot you and your car were home-bound.

The school, in your rear view got smaller by sight—

“Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good night!”

Saw this on Facebook this morning…I had to use it!

You are awesome! You are amazing! You are a teacher! Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

General Inspiration, Get Psyched!, Hope for Teachers, Note to Teachers, Pep Talk, You Are Awesome!!!

Almost There…

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

Dear Teacher,

You are almost there! You have almost made it! Holiday break is just around the corner. You can almost count the minutes!

You have worked so hard to keep students engaged. You have poured your heart out. You have put in the hours and the energy to capture their hearts and minds. You have tried to make this time before break both educational and memorable. And you have done it. You have knocked it out of the park!

It may not have been perfect, you you have done well, my friend. Great job! Amazing! You are such a great teacher!

The students may not always appreciate the work you do now, but you are making a difference. You are doing so well. Every minute may not be awesome, but your awesome never stops. Nice job. You have done what you do so well. You are so awesome!

Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for working so hard. Thank you for caring so much. Thank you for being you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

I hope you have the best holiday break ever! Take it easy. Take a break. Rest. Relax. Get charged up for the rest of the year!

You are so awesome! You are so amazing! Your students need you and you are making a difference in their lives. Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Have a great break, you have earned it and deserve it!

Love, Teacher

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