Today was just one of those days. My kiddos are squirrely and ready for spring break and a few are so upset about not being at school for a week that their behavior is not fun.
Whenever I have "one of those days" where I can just feel myself starting to freak out, I always read this quote that I have hanging on my board. It's so powerful and true. When I came across this as a first year teacher, it brought tears to my eyes. I thought you might like to read it too!
“I’ve come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in
the classroom. It’s my personal approach that creates the climate.
It’s my daily mood that 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
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.”
― Haim G. Ginott
― Haim G. Ginott
The thing that strikes me the most is that it is my daily mood that makes the weather... How true is that?! I have a sweetheart this year who has, at times, given me a run for my money (and sanity!) but when that kiddo has an off day, it is because I have set a bad tone or because I don't feel like I have the energy it takes to give that student the attention they need.
