Thoughts on a New School Year: Please Share Your Suggestions

It's a new school year and I'd like to share one thought: Focus on the positive!

As a classroom teacher for 33 years, I know that there are days when this thought is difficult at best to accomplish, but it really is something to keep in mind, even on those difficult days. Take a walk during your break, have some photographs of your kids, husband, or significant other, something you can gaze upon to bring back your positive state of mind. Eat chocolate (for me, Butterfingers)!

Try to find something that happened during your day that brings a smile, not a frown, as you leave school to go home. There were many days when I'd arrive home dragging myself in, bringing down my household with what may have happened that day. The negativity zapped me of my energies. It wasn't a good thing, and certainly not healthy. It took me a while to realize that I needed to focus on the positive!

Another important thought as you begin your school year: Try and align yourself with positive teachers and other adults during the day. I remember having a team where at break time, two of the women would complain about the kids, the administration, and everything else. I eventually stopped joining them at break time and started to walk. Stay clear of such negative people, as they will only bring you down... A few years later, I had several new team members, and the negative teachers had left. WHAT a difference it made. When those of us on my new team would leave the building at the end of the day, we'd be laughing about something humorous that we had experienced that day. What a difference this team made on my day and my life. So seek out those that help you accomplish this goal, and focus on the positive.

I wish you all a wonderful school year!

-Gail

Anyone else have some thoughts for those teachers returning to the classroom?  Email: geshrwh[at]hotmail.com

http://www.gailhennessey.com-my website for teachers/kids