Turn Your Attitude Around

The following post is by guest blogger Denise Boehm. As I read her article, I was reminded of a quote by Norman Vincent Peale, "The secret of life isn't what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you." During these troubling times, we must remember to keep our chin up, our attitude positive, and find ways to cope with stress.

Turn Your Attitude Around by Denise Bohehm

For generations, kids have been uttering the same phrases that instantly raise the blood pressure of their teachers. Do any of these sound familiar: How much longer till lunch? When are we going to recess? Is this on the test? Do we have to write the questions? 


Well, one of my high school teachers had a great response for the classic “When will we ever use this?” He hung a giant handmade banner above the side board that read “Right here, Right now!” which he would forcefully point to the first time an unsuspecting freshman would inevitably ask that question. I wonder if he just got so sick of hearing it one day that he ran to the supply room, grabbed some banner paper and scrawled out what became his signature phrase all the while muttering, “When? When? I’ll TELL you when!”
Looking back, I imagine he got some sort of secret joy from hearing that query from that day on. Way to turn it around Mr. Sanders.

Actually, he might have been on to something in his own way. It’s no secret that these are some tough times for teachers. Current circumstances across the country have put us in the position of defending our practices, advocating for our profession, spending more and earning less, while still giving it all we’ve got when we’re in the classroom. It is maddening, heartbreaking, depressing and confusing. I never imagined the day I would be actively seeking out another profession, and yet that’s exactly where I found myself. That was my rock bottom. I had to make a change. I had to find a way to cope, like Mr. Sanders and his banner.

I created my own self-help program that I was determined to follow. Either that, or I was going to have to find another career, because I just could not continue to live in such emotional turmoil every. single. day. 
The first thing I committed to was not reading any comments after online news articles related to education. I slipped a few times on that one, but each time I regretted it instantly and now I’m able to resist about 95% of the time.

Next up, I found some amazing, inspiring educators and education advocates to follow on Twitter and Facebook. That has been a great way to stay informed without the bias and sway of public opinion.
Finally, I now make a conscious effort to redirect those dark thoughts that lead me to question my profession and my passion. To that end, I also started a blog to focus on the good things going on in real classrooms with real teachers every day. That has been the very best thing I’ve ever done.
Denise Boehm has been teaching in Florida since 1994. She's taught students from all backgrounds and ability levels in grades 2-5. She has also been a Drop-out Prevention Specialist, a Writing Specialist and for the last ten years has been teaching gifted students. She is a veteran teacher doing her best to focus on the sunny side of education in some pretty trying times.


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