10 Thoughts on Teaching

1. Stay away from negative people. They will only bring you down - and they will always bring you down.

2. Choose your attitude - daily.

3. Always dress professionally.

4. If you don't understand something - ask. Someone knows the answer and is willing to share it with you. Also, if you hear a rumor, check out the source. Don't just believe everything you hear.

5. The State of Michigan has developed the Michigan Curriculum Framework and it includes the four core areas; however, the State has also developed standards and benchmarks for all other areas, except foreign languages.

6. On the same note, the MEAP is not a bad thing ... state assessments should not be the only accountability tool for a school district, but it should be one of the measurements.

7. Make time to relax.

8. If you have chosen to become a teacher because of June, July, and August and not because you want to make a difference for kids, you should change careers right now. Especially now that September has arrived!

9. Always do the right thing. It will make a difference.

10. Good teachers make a difference. Bad teachers also make a difference. Be a good teacher.

To be continued ...