Teacher behavior matters.
As a special education teacher it is often hard to control the climate and flow of my classroom. It isn't just the kids and their negative attitudes that come up after spring break. It is the para-educators coming with their negativity. It is the teachers who are stressed about testing. It is the school psychologist who is overwhelmed with paperwork and evaluations. It is your administrator being under testing season stress and has to deal with your students who just don't quite fit in.
Remember, you control how many times a day that you smile.
It's a simple thing, but when I remember to smile and to be positive I feel like I am taking control. I am not letting the overwhelming amount of negativity that surrounds me get the better of me for today.
And the thing is, about 50% of the time you are going to have others roll their eyes and say that they "live in the real world", but the other 50% of the time someone is going to smile back. And maybe that is going to make a difference for the student who is taking in the adult's around them all the time.
So remember, you are in charge of you. You are also in charge of providing a safe and civil climate for your student.
