“Let it begin with me.”

There’s a song that I love that has the words in it, “Let it begin with me.” When I think of these words, I usually think of things I want to do to help children. You may think this too. Today, however, I am writing these words to you to let you know taking care of yourself has to begin with you too!

When you are on an airplane, you hear the flight attendant say, “In the event of an emergency if you are sitting next to children, put your own oxygen mask on first.” The reason for this is that you cannot help those children who may wiggle and squirm if you don’t have the oxygen you need. It has to begin with you on the airplane, and it has to begin with you in life.

Take time to take care of yourself. You can start small. Perhaps you can give up some foods or drinks that are not healthy. Perhaps you can get an extra thirty minutes of sleep a night. Maybe you can spend just a bit more time with people who nurture and give to you. You choose. It is your life. It is your destiny that you help shape. So today, let it begin with you. Do just one small thing that gives you extra “oomph,” “extra oxygen.” And then maybe it will feel so good that you will do more and more and more.

Have a wonderful day and week-end as you let it begin with you.

Maryln

“Fight for those with mental illness.”

I was leading a seminar recently, and during the break a participant came up to me to talk about a student who has a severe mental illness. She said that the school was helping all they could, but that the parents were having a tough time getting the medical treatment that the student needs. She said the parents were becoming increasingly frustrated. I have heard stories like this before, so I just want to tell you that if this is the case with any of your students, give those parents hope. Tell them that they should not give up. Yes, they may have to deal with a lot of red tape and bureaucracy, but the result will be worth it. The more they advocate for their children, the better their children can be.

Mental illness is real and so frustrating. If a child has a physical handicap, it is easy to see. However, the truth is that there are many children who have mental handicaps that are invisible to the eye, but these children need help as much as those with physical handicaps. They need strong advocates who will fight for them and get them the help they need.

Have a great day.

Maryln

“Four days or five days for school each week—what do you think?”

There has been talk recently about shortening the school week to four days instead of five. In fact there are some rural districts that are actually doing this to save on energy. Some districts have extended the class days to longer hours to compensate for that fifth day that students are not in attendance. If this were to take place nationwide, the effects would be momentous. Many parents count on those five days to cover the care of their children as they work because they have a five-day work week.

I am curious what you think, so we are posting a new survey on our web site, http://www.atiseminars.org/ for you to let your voice be heard.

Regardless of the length of the school week, one thing I am sure of, and that is that it is the quality of the school week that is now and will always be vital to student success. That is where you come in, doing your best every day to make a difference for your students.

Have an awesome day.

Maryln

“There are tests that we do not write.”

I live in Sugar Land, Texas. That is just outside of Houston. Hurricane Ike came in and ravaged this entire area. I, along with thousands of others, have had no electrical power. Some homes have had no phone or water. All of us have had some form of damage to our homes. This past week I attended an awesome meeting. The topic was about the good that has come out of this hurricane. It was amazing listening to the comments. People talked about getting to know neighbors. Many talked about acts of kindness with the offers of food and shelter. Some talked about new found family closeness through this time. Everyone had something good to say.

We did not write this script—this test of Hurricane Ike, but it was very obvious that for many, it had been passed with flying colors.

In life, we do not always get to control circumstances, but there is one thing we CAN control, and that is our attitudes, our attitudes in times of crisis, and our attitudes with our children.

Have an awesome day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

“Different students require different approaches.”

Every student learns differently. Their learning styles are different. Some are auditory, some are visual, and some are tactile kinesthetic learners. Some students may be affected by things happening at home or by various handicaps. The point is that there is no one size fits all approach to children. They are each unique. That is why it is more important than ever that they have someone who understands and cares for them. Many of them do not have that person at home, so that person then has to be you. You are the one. You are the one who can make a difference in the lives of students.

Have a great day and a great week.

Maryln