Change the channel from NTC to PTC

Change the channel on those days when you get stuck thinking negatively. Change it from NTC, the Negative Thoughts Channel, to PTC, the Positive Thoughts Channel, and watch your day get better and better.

Have a great day and a wonderful week-end.

Maryln

No more disrespect!!!

Every day in every way, you teach respect by your action as well as your words. This is such an important topic that I have launched a new survey on our web site. Do you think children are more respectful or less respectful than 10 years ago? Go to www.atiseminars.org and make your voice heard.

Children don’t naturally learn how to be respectful. It is a learned behavior. They learn it from watching others be respectful. They also learn it when there are boundaries set, and then there is follow-through in the boundaries. When children do whatever they want, and get away with it, they learn disrespect. When children “con” adults in their lives with lies the adults believe, the children learn to disrespect those adults. When children see significant adults in their lives not respecting each other, they learn disrespect. When children are abused, they learn to fear their abuser, but they also learn disrespect.

Have a great day.

Maryln

Teaching is like running a marathon.

Each year I go to the Houston Marathon to watch my son and the other runners and cheer them all on. I go with my family and am one of thousands watching the runners. We hold up signs and cheer. We say, “Way to go!” “You can do it!” We stand there in the cold and sometimes in freezing rain watching and cheering for the runners who are out there doing their best in good or bad weather conditions.

Running a marathon takes dedication. The runners start training months before the event. They have to get their bodies in shape, and more than that, they have to get their minds in shape! They have to believe in themselves, believe that they can run for hours, and they have to believe they can finish the marathon.

Teaching is similar to running a marathon. You have to take time to train, to learn, to be the best you can be. You have to have dedication. You have to believe in yourself, that you can do it. You have to mentally prepare yourself that no matter what happens, you will be ready, and you will keep going. You have to have stamina, dedication, and persistence. Sometimes you will have people who cheer you on, who support you like the marathon runners are supported. And other times you will feel alone as you work. Your finish line may not be filled with cheering fans at the end, but you will know in your heart when you come to the end of the day each day, that you did something worthwhile. You made a difference.

Have a great day.

Maryln

A new President—a time for a new start

On this special day in American history, the United States of America will have a brand new President, President Obama. People from all walks of life are flocking to Washington to watch history being made. I attended an inauguration many years ago, and it was a phenomenal experience. There were crowds and crowds of people. It was difficult to get anywhere close. I saw the President being sworn in, but it was like he was a “dot.” I got to watch it all on huge video screens that were set up outside. Even though I could not get close, it was thrilling standing out there in the cold and watching as a new President took office.

I hope that children all over the world get to see this great occasion, the first African-American President being sworn in to office. They will see that all people can reach their dreams, that this is truly a land that honors diversity, a land where freedom and justice prevail.

May God bless America and President Obama, Vice President Biden, and all who serve this great country, and shine light on this awesome land that we love.

Have a great day.

Maryln

I have a dream

Several years ago I wrote this thought for the day on Martin Luther King Day. It has since been incorporated into two books I have written, one for ATI, and the other one for Corwin Press. I want to share it with you now again.

Martin Luther King said these powerful words, “I have a dream.” I too have a dream. I dream of the day when teachers will be acknowledge, honored, and respected for the key roles they play in building the future. I dream of the day when parents will look at you who work with children and realize how important your work and your influence are in the lives of their children. They will respect you and want to work together as a team on behalf of their children. I dream of the day when lawmakers will respect you, the work you do and the difference you make in the lives of children, and hear your collective voice before making decisions that influence your lives and the lives of children. I dream of the day when the corporate world will acknowledge you for the key role you play in preparing their future employees.

I dream of the day when you will walk inside a room filled with people and when someone says, “What do you do,” you respond, “I’m a teacher,” and they will applaud you and thank you for the important work you do. I dream of the day when students will come into your schools and classrooms with newfound respect passed on from their families and salute you as a huge difference-maker in their lives.

Thank you Martin Luther King. Your words inspired us to dream, too. You inspired us to dream about the future as we build a better world for children.

Have a great day and a wonderful week.

Maryln