12 Reasons Why Teaching Makes Me Happy!

• What are the differences between happy teachers and unhappy teachers? While I have no data, I can say after 44 years in this ever changing, fast-paced, engaging and spirited profession, I am happy! I owe it to some of the following!
  1. Love vs. Fear
  I love the children as God has taught me to do so as if they were my own. I want their success, happiness, and inquiry to be central to my daily work. Each moment, each challenge, each person is a key to discovering more about self-improvement in order to enhance their opportunities and the world around them. Because I am in a school that expects daily prayer, I have the opportunity to thank God and my high school students every day for their gifts to me!
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  2. Acceptance vs. Resistance
  I cant really change every situation in fear or resistance, but I can definitely change anything by first listening then understanding that there might be a reason for its existence. My focus, whatever the problem, must remain child-centered not adult-centered.When something unpleasant happens fighting is not my first destination; first, I question, "What can I learn from this? How can I make this better?"Then, I focus on the positive, rather than on the negative. My students need me to teach them why this is an alternative to the blame-game!
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• 3. Forgiveness vs. Un-forgiveness
  I do not embrace anger; I state my peace, and move on to the next challenge I am graced with solving! Choose to forgive and forget, understanding that forgiveness is a gift to you first and foremost, keeps me going. Keep giving this gift away every day! Teaching students this idea is also a way into an angry unsettled heart.
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4. Trust vs. Doubt
I trust myself and others until I am made a fool! Everyone in our environment is here to help children succeed until they prove otherwise. From the outspoken parent to the quiet cleaninglady, each one wants to make life better! Placelove, laughter, dignity and respect, central to communications! Happy teachers know that learning wears many hats; make no distinction between age, sex, social status, color, religion or race.

• 5. Meaning vs. Ambition
  My life has meaning and I can brings that ideal into the lives of others with a sense of purpose. Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life as Wayne Dyer says. Icare more about living a life full of meaning than living a successful life. The irony here is that most of the time I get both success and meaning because I choose to focus on doing the things I love the most. I encourage students in their passions and try to bring in examples of their needs into my lessons.
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• 6. Praising vs. Criticizing
  I dont criticize the absence of a behavior I want to reinforce. I praise the person and the behavior I wish to reinforce.When the situation permits, I can be heard saying, "Thank you for the joy and laughter you bring when the time is right. Thank you too for your focus and cooperation when that time too is here!" High school students respond well when praised for what they need, so do I for that matter!
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• 7. Challenges vs. Problems
  I see problems as challenges, as opportunities to explore new ways of doing things, expressing my gratitude, understanding that underneath these challenges are opportunities that will allow me to expand and to grow. One of my colleagues calls them, "Tensions to be managed not problems to be solved."
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• 8. Selflessness vs, Selfishness
  I enjoy finding meaning, empowerment and happiness in the lives of many. I look for ways to give and to share the best with the world and to make other people happy too. I seek ways to incorporate that into my lessons.
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  9. Abundance vs. Lack/ Poverty
  I have all I need; I am living a balanced life, achieving everywhere and happy for all that I have daily! I remind while trying not to nag, we all have much! These lessons are easily taught in social studies and English content areas!
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  10. Dreaming Big vs. Being Realistic
  I am NOT realistic. I love and dare to dream big; I always listen to my heart and intuition; I accomplish much and I now realize, I scare many of people. But, I also know I will continue! Kids deserve my biggest dreams even if adults don't understand that about me!
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11. Kindness vs. Cruelty
Being kind to a student is a life-time gift! It is just that simple!

• 12. Positivity vs. Negativity
  No matter what happens, I am always trying to keep a positive perspective on everything and by doing so, I tend irritate a lot of negative and realistic people. Kids need me to remain positive and show them how to do the same! My goal is to help students laugh at themselves, love themselves, and respect the world for its gifts!I am adult enough to take full ownership over my life and rarely use excuses for my short comings; I have many and God helps me everyday to get better. Happy people understand that the moment you choose to blame some outside force for whatever is happening to you, you are in fact giving all your power away. I choose to keep my power and take responsibility for everything that happens to me; I try to model this for kids too.

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• Be Happy! I know I am everyday with my life's calling!