Did you ever have a teacher or someone else important in your life that you knew did not like you? Mine was my second grade teacher, Mrs. M. I never felt she cared for me. In my memories, I only remember her dealing with me with a bad attitude. Steve B. and I spent time taking turns having our desks separated from the rest. After I moved on to the upper grades, she spoke to me once- when she found out I was moving. Now, I don't know what her story was/is. I was 7 years old, and it was a long time ago, but I don't feel deprived because of this. I don't believe she was a bad teacher, I just don't think she liked me. And I use that memory when I think about my teaching. How do I want my students to view me? How do I want them to feel when they leave my classroom?
A few posts back I mentioned I was going to have a new best friend. Well, I do now. And he is great! He is funny, and knows so much. He really wants to do what he can to be a good helper too. I really like him. I am so glad I got to know him.
It is so funny how our attitude works, isn't it? If we allow ourselves to continue to think badly about someone, we will. We will never be able to see the good in them because we are so focussed on what we do not like. But when we make up our minds to see the good, we find the good outweighs the bad. We don't have to ignore those behaviours that might drive us crazy, but those habits seem to decrease as the positive ones increase. And we can do what we can to help change those negative behaviours.
As we enter a new year, and the second half of our school year, let this be your resolution: See the good, help change the "bad", and make new best friends!
