Secret 4: The Secret of Attitude

Secret 4: The Secret of Attitude Brianna, Carleigh, Maddie

Part 1: How to Be in Control of Your Attitude: It’s Up to You! • “ One of the main things that separate the not-so-good from the good from the great teachers is simple attitude”. • Negative people don’t see them selves as being negative. • So what do you do when you have a coworker who is negative- or when that person teaches right next door to you? • “Well I have no control over her attitude, only mine. So I just stay positive and hope that maybe a little of it may one day rub off on her, if it doesn’t, I haven’t lost a thing, and I still get to keep my sanity!”

Part 1: continued… • Try not to fall into the trap of blaming other people for your attitude. • “We cannot let the actions of others shape our attitudes”.

Part 2: How to Handle Yourself in the Teachers’ Lounge • In some schools the teachers lounge has become a place where some teachers like to gripe, groan, and gossip. • “Gossip basically serves one purpose – it harms! Our purpose, as teachers, is not to harm anyone or hurt anyone’s feelings”. • No one respects the gripers, groaners and gossipers. • “The only time it was counterproductive for a teacher to become a principal in his or her own school was when the teacher was a well-known griper, groaner and gossip. In such a case, the faculty had no respect for this person, so they defiantly couldn’t take this person seriously”. • Being a negative person is never likely to have a positive impact on you.

Part 3: How to Improve the Attitude of Your Students • “The teachers attitude and approach can either ignite a volatile situation or extinguish it”. • Remember that we are role models, we are supposed to model appropriate ways to handle situations. • “Our attitudes defiantly spill over on to our students”. • Students notice everything about us, so we need to make sure that they are noticing positive and appropriate ways to handle situations.

Part 4 : How to Portray an Attitude of Responsibility • “Effective teachers will always look to themselves and ask, “what can I do differently?” • Teachers should take it personally if their students are not doing well under their care. • “Isn’t it true that we became teachers to help the students who need us the most? . . . The ones who, without our help and guidance, might not make it to the next grade or even the next week?”

Part 5: How to Defuse Negative Coworkers • If a negative coworker approaches you and . . . • Begins to speak negatively about a student : Say “ I love that kid. I know he’s not always easy to deal with, but thank goodness he has us to help him learn better ways of dealing with life, and walk away.” • Begins to gripe about something going on in the school : Say “ I can appreciate your concerns. Why don’t you talk to the Principal and share those concerns? I’m sure he’d be happy to meet with you, and maybe the two of you can come up with a solution. It cant hurt to try!” and walk away.

Part 5 continued .. . • If a negative coworker approaches you and . . . • Tries to gossip with you about a student, teacher, parent or principal : Pretend that you are in a rush and will have to talk to him or her later, and walk away. • Coworker is reprimanding a student ( in an unprofessional manner): Unless the student is in imminent bodily danger, walk away. • Coworker gripes constantly and you are simply at the end of your rope : “You seem really down today. You don’t look well, either. Maybe you just need some rest when you get home.” and walk away.

Part 5 continued . . . • Notice that all of the suggestions end with “walk away!” Don your best at trying to diffuse people and then walk way. • Don’t participate in negative conversations.

Part 6: How to Work Cooperatively with Parents • Almost all parents do the very best they can, and they deeply care about their children • Many parents only hear from their child’s teacher if their child has done something wrong- causing them to become defensive • The very best teachers keep in constant contact with the parents of their students • Examples: 1. On the first day, give each student a note to bring home to their parents

Continued… • 2. Send a note home each day telling the parents why you’re proud of their child. • 3. Pick one student a day and write about something that they did particularly well that day • If a parent comes to you upset, tell them, “I think that if we work together, we can solve this problem • Remember that your attitude towards both children and their parents will help to determine the parent’s attitudes towards you!

Part 7: How to Have the Best Attitude on the Faculty • The most effective teachers know how to be effective as they can be, they must portray a positive attitude • Be the most positive person on your faculty • Give your students what they deserve- a positive role model • “I know that the teachers who touched my life are the ones who had great attitudes, so I try to emulate their attitudes every day that I teach” • One person really can make a difference- so be that one person. Shape up your attitude, and your students will remember you with gratitude!

Chapter Summary • Attitude is everything! • Find what’s good, and focus on it. Find what’s not so good, and make it better! • Our attitudes help to shape the types of teachers, leaders, and role models we become. • Don’t gripe, groan, or gossip in the teachers’ lounge or anywhere else. • Your attitude and approach can either ignite a volatile situation or extinguish it. • Portray an attitude of responsibility. Take your students’ failures and success personally • Burn calories by waling way from negative coworkers! • Make positive contacts with parents • Convince a parent that you’re on the side of the child by being on the side of the child. • Have the best attitude on your faculty!

Key Question . . • What ways can you promote positive attitudes within your classroom?

Secret 4: The Secret of Attitude