Best of luck to all teachers in the upcoming school year! =)

Here's a quote from Haim Ginott that our guidance counselor handed out:

"I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom.  My personal approach creats the climate.  My daily mood makes the weather.  As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous.  I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.  I can humiliate or humor, hurt, or heal.  In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized."

Oh, how true! I have seen situations easily defused by a teacher's calm reply and have also seen students shamed and humiliated by a teacher blowing something out of proportion.  The kids may not remember what we say, but they will always remember how we make them feel.  And helping a kid makes me feel good about myself.

So true. Thanks for the quote. :-)