As we enter this new age of teaching, and the start of the 2020-2021 school year, I thought it would be appropriate to start the school year with a look at our attitude… for teachers and parents alike!
You’re such a positive person. Over the years, I have heard that a lot. I was listening to a bible study about joy. The presenter opened it with how the world has come to view everything as a negative. Meteorologist reports weather as 20% chance of rain instead of 80% chance of sunny! Sports focus on what went wrong before what went right. I know of a work environment where the leader was given his walking papers. The reason why? Because he cultivated an environment of negativity! If the powers that be believed enough in a positive working environment for adults… what about our students? Especially for this upcoming school year, which we all know is going to be the most challenging school year yet… for everybody!!! As information constantly changes, and districts are scrambling to figure out how to deliver education, one thing must remain constant. A positive attitude!
So, let me ask you, are you the teacher/parent who sees the glass as half empty… or half full? Are you the teacher/parent who focuses on what can’t be done… or what can? Are you the teacher/parent who sees obstacles… or possibilities? Especially when teaching students with disabilities. Are you a “Negative Nelly/Ned” or a “Positive Polly/Paul?”
Negative Nelly/Ned worries and complains… a lot! They tend to take the default position of what will go wrong, what can’t be done, and what they don’t have. Negative people rarely envision a happy outcome or a good result, instead they focus on their fears and potential failures. Thin skinned and over sensitive, negative people love the word “but.” Underachievers, Nelly and Ned never get excited about future experiences to promote growth and new skill development. They put a negative spin on everything, with the best of intentions to “warn” or “caution” you. As a result, Nelly and Ned miss out on a lot!
Positive Polly/Paul finds reasons to be positive… they don’t have a good day; they make a good day. Polly and Paul expect their plans to work out, and if those plans don’t, strive to find ways to overcome obstacles and solve problems. They don’t dwell on failures, instead, looking for ways to improve and do better. Polly and Paul don’t wait for change and improvement, or blame circumstance on environment or situation, but set out to make the changes they want. Positive people don’t consider themselves a victim of circumstance, instead, they take responsibility for it and act.
I understand how difficult it can be to remain positive when everything around you can be negative or seem overwhelming! With this upcoming new school year, there is going to be a lot thrown our way, a lot asked of us. But you have to find those reasons for pushing, persevering, overcoming, learning, doing something different, and so much more!
And if nothing else helps… read this!
Watch your thoughts; they lead to attitudes.
Watch your attitudes; they lead to words.
Watch your words; they lead to actions.
Watch your actions; they lead to habits.
Watch your habits; they form your character.
Watch your character; it determines your destiny.
What’s your destiny?