Take care of yourself

I had a very dear aunt who was like a mom to me. Each time she saw me, she said, “Take care of yourself, Maryln.” I never really understood what she meant. Then several months ago, I was working so much that I didn’t get enough sleep. I was so exhausted that I literally made myself sick. I needed to rest and catch up. When you do what you love, it’s easy to get so caught up in it, and forget to take care of yourself.
Today, as you start the week-end, I’m reminding you what my Aunt Fanny used to say to me, “Take care of yourself.” You are a special person in the lives of so many. You are a difference maker.

Have a wonderful day and week-end and “take care of yourself.”

Maryln

Take charge, or the children will!

You are the teacher, the leader. Someone has to be in charge of your classroom. If you don’t take charge, your students will, and the result can be chaos.

More and more, teachers report that parents have lost control. Their children are in charge. Children decide on their bedtimes, mealtimes, television shows, and computer games, all without any limits. Children want and need limits. It gives them a sense of security. Involve your students, but stay in charge. Give them freedom and offer them choices all within limits. And through it all, have fun teaching because your attitude is more contagious than the flu!

Have a wonderful day.

Maryln

Paint a masterpiece.

Everyday you start with a blank canvas. It is up to you to decide how you will fill that canvas. Think of ways to make your day and all the events in it the best it can be. You can start by filling a corner of the canvas with prayers and/or positive hopes for the day and those you love. Then you can paint another section with looking the best you can for your important day. Add some wonderful paint to your canvas as you go about making a difference in the lives of children. Add some bright colors as you help others to smile and to laugh and to feel good. Then add some wonderful colors as you feel gratitude for the good in your life and the good you have done on the canvas of your day. And when you go to bed at night, review the canvas of your day, and fall asleep with a big smile on your face, knowing that your helped paint not only the canvas of your day and life, but also made it a brighter and more beautiful life and canvas for those around you.

Have a great day painting your canvas.

Maryln

Open new doors

For every door that closes, a new door opens. Often you are the one that gets to shut the door and open a new one for students.

Students with special needs often go undetected for years. They are often thought of as lazy, unmotivated, troublemakers, or uncaring. They need doors opened for them in which they are accepted by their peers. They need doors opened so they feel good about themselves and their accomplishments. They need doors opened that are filled with brightness instead of darkness. Look for those children who just don’t “fit,” and find ways to open new doors for them. You are a difference maker.

For some of you, today opens the door to a new year in the celebration of the holiday, Rosh Hashanah. To those of you celebrating this holiday, all of us at Appelbaum Training Institute wish you a happy and healthy new year.

Have a wonderful day.

Maryln

“Bail-outs!”

This past week everyone was talking about the economy and what it would take to “bail” us out of this financial mess on Wall Street. This is important. We need a sound and strong financial economy. This is vital, and I hope and pray that it occurs.
It made me think about our children. You are the ones doing the “bail-outs” in most cases. You are the ones who help save many children from disaster. You are the ones who stop bullying, hitting, and fighting. You are the ones who work with students with special needs. You are the ones who go to sleep at night wondering what to do the next day to help a special child. Pat yourself on the back. You make a difference.

Have a wonderful day and week.

Maryln