The Power of Positive Teaching

We are going through a rough patch. The economy is a mess and education is inside the can for the political game of "kick the can". We could list out a hundred excuses for every failing school or child. Teachers across the country are fighting for their jobs, their profession, their autonomy, and their integrity. It's easy to go down the dark path of no return. I saw a sign recently that said due to the economic problems the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off. Where does all of this negative energy leave us on Monday morning when we enter our classrooms?

 Do you allow all of the negative Nellies to drag you down and emotionally beat you up? Do you find yourself occasionally (or often) sucked into negative conversations? Gripe. Moan. Groan. Complain. Whine. Zig Ziglar, one of the great motivation speakers calls all of this negativity "stinkin' thinkin". Negative thinking leaves us in a dark place. It eats away at our souls and destroys our happiness.

I choose to be happy.

I choose to be positive.

I choose to move forward with enthusiasm.

I've recently experienced a number of personal difficulties. I'm sure you've heard that old saying that when it rains it poors. Well, it stormed. A lot of things that were out of my control happened to me (and my family) within  a short three week period. I'm exhausted from the emotional and financial drain. I've had my moments, but in the end, I realized that the only person who can control how I think and react to situations is me. 

And that's why I've decided that I need to surround myself with positive energy and enthusiasm. I remind myself on a daily basis that allowing myself to be sucked into negative thinking and conversations will only drain my emotional energy and negatively effect my health. 

I choose to go into my classroom with a positive attitude. I choose to have a great school year. I choose to believe that each of my students will succeed. I choose to accept the things I cannot control and make the best of each and every situation.

Happiness is a choice.

Many years ago I was at a school that thrived on negative energy. I fought my way through each day with enthusiasm. I refused to give in, to fall into a dismal trap, to allow the negative people around me to make me one of them. Every morning I plugged in a Zig Ziglar tape (it really was a tape back then) and repeated motivational quotes to myself. I focused on the positive. I allowed positive thinking to feed my soul. 

Are you going through a rough patch? Have you caught yourself griping about the administration, parents, or the kids in your charge? What good has the griping accomplished? None at all. Throw your "stinkin' thinkin'" into the garbage can. Focus on the important things in life. Focus on the needs of your students and find positive ways to approach each and every day. Stop surrounding yourself with negative people. Plug in positive thinking and allow the power of it to transform you inside and out. You will feel better, do better, and be healthier for it.

FREE POSTER

The power of positive is in your hands. Take hold of it and empower yourself to be the best teacher you can be. Make the decision to be a positive person; a positive teacher. Make this year your best year ever!