Food for Thought

"Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater." ~Gail Godwin

{You've heard me refer to teaching as "acting," so my posting this quote won't surprise you. Your attitude and tone influence everyone around you, especially the children. It's not always easy, but it's critical that you set aside any distractions and put on a good show every single day. If you want your children engaged, you have to engage. If you want them to be excited about what you are reading, singing, sharing, etc., then you have to make it exciting. They will follow your lead... so make sure your example, your performance, is a good one!}

"In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work.  It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years."  ~Jacques Barzun

{Perhaps one of the most frustrating things about teaching, right? But know that you are building important, foundational skills that will serve your children for the rest of their lives. Take that extra few minutes with them. Read it again. Answer all of those questions. Explain "why." Ask questions that make them think. Smile. Give hugs and show warmth. Sometimes - and it's way too often - the respect and love children are shown at school is the only respect and love they are shown. Be the difference in a child's life. And know that someone up the chain is seeing the fruits of your labor.}