Happy New Year! Suggestions for a Successful School Year!

Have a Wonderful 2019!

I share these ideas twice a year. At the beginning of the school year, and the beginning of the year. I've made some changes to my list.

Some suggestions for the new year:

1. treat all students fairly, regardless of race, gender, age, behavior, a parent's nasty attitude, the comments from last year's teachers, or a seemingly lack of interest in learning 
2. to realize that all children can learn, but not always at the same pace.
3. stop using sarcasm as a disciplinary tool, no matter how effective it may seem. 
4. speak in a quiet, even,tone, even when yelling seems to be the only option. (It never is!)
5. "sticks and stones...but words"... Words can hurt worse than "sticks and stones." Please be careful of the words you use with a child.
6.  realize that you might be the only good thing that happens in a student's day 
7. try to meet all deadlines(With all the burdens placed on teachers these days, this one is VERY difficult)
8. stop gossiping about other teachers, parents, students, administration...! (Difficult at times, I know)
9. if you don't know, say you don't know (But find out or teach others how to find out)
10. make mistakes, it's OK. But admit to them and then learn from them.
11. challenge your students! Challenge yourself!
12. share with colleagues, we are not in competition with each other. 
13. use technology as a tool to excite, engage, and empower students. Technology is not a subject!
14. be involved in fighting what is happening in, and to, the public education system! (Standardized testing, education "reform", merit pay)
15. be a lifelong learner 
16. continue to be passionate about the job, it really is about the kids!
17. realize our biases impact the way we treat your students.
18. Building relationships is key!

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