“America, where seeds of hope are always planted”

This past week we saw history being made with the first African American in the history of America being officially nominated for the President of the United States. In the coming week, it appears we will once again make history with a senior citizen being nominated for the President of the United States. What a wonderful land this is—America, home of democracy, where seeds can be planted at an early age to become all you can be!

Today ushers in the Labor Day week-end. It is truly symbolic to have this special week-end come in between two national conventions that usher in hope. Labor Day is celebrated to honor everyone who labors, who works. It officially became a holiday in 1884. It is symbolic of the hope of each of you who work with children. Your work, while sometimes difficult, is also a “labor of love.” So during this special time on this wonderful holiday week-end in America, remember that everyday you plant seeds of hope. Who knows, one day one of your students may be the one running for President!!!

God bless you and God bless America. Have a wonderful day and a wonderful week-end and take time to honor yourself for the wonderful “labor” you do!!!

Maryln

“Have a Peaceful Place.”

Our company just launched a new seminar, and one of the topics is how to handle children when they have melt-downs. A good preventive strategy is to have a “peaceful place” in your classroom. Students can go there when they are upset before they have a meltdown, explode, or get into trouble. It can be as simple as a rocking chair or as elaborate as a “little niche” in the room with headphones to listen to calming music. You can also include calming photos on the walls, paper to color or journal, and some calming books for them to read. Involve the students in planning the “peaceful place.”

A little bit of prevention can go a long way in having a calm classroom.

Have a wonderful day.

Maryln

“When life throws you a curve, turn it into a straight line.”

I am a planner. So it was a big surprise for me when I was very young and became pregnant. I was still in my teens. I dropped out of school to become a wife and mother. Yet it turned into a good thing. It changed my life. I had to grow up quickly. I loved being a mom to my daughter and then later, to my son. I did go back to school and finished as my children grew older.

It is the same with your classroom. It is important to plan and to be organized, but it’s also good to be prepared for the unexpected. Just as life can throw you a curve, so too, can children. You just never know what they may say or do. Turn that “curve” into a straight line. Stay focused and in charge of your classroom, and have fun on the “curves” even as you keep the class on a “straight” path to success.

Have a wonderful day.

Maryln

“Hope!”

That is an amazing word! That one word can change a person’s total attitude. Hope is what gives people the ability to dream, to chart new directions, to invent, to be their best, to invest, and to think positively.

Michael Phelps, winner of 8 Olympic Gold Medals, is an example of the word, “hope.” During the Olympics, the media has commented on his concentration and his ability to focus while swimming. That is truly an amazing feat because when Michael was a child, he could not concentrate and focus. He was in constant trouble in school. He was diagnosed with ADHD when he was nine years old, and he took medication for awhile. Michael had two things that changed his life. One was that he had a mother who believed in him—she had hope for him. The other is that he began swimming, and those two factors changed his life. He now had something at which he could excel. He had hope!

Every student you will get this new school year needs hope. They each need someone to believe in them, to find their “gifts,” the things at which they excel.

You can do that. But in order to do it, you too must have hope. Keep the hope and dream going that you can and will make a difference—that you can and will reach each student. And you will!

Have a great day and a wonderful school year.

Maryln

“Open the door wide enough to let them all in.”

There are different ways to open the door to your home. You can open it a little bit or you can open it all the way. It’s the same with the students in your classroom. Many of you are beginning a brand new school year. You have new students entering the doorway of your classroom.

When you learn which students you have this school year, you may be happy with some, and less happy with others. The truth is that all children can sense if you want to have them in your room. The more they feel that they are welcome, the more they will connect with you, and the more they connect with you, the less you will correct them, and the better school year you will all have.

Have a great day and a wonderful week.

Maryln