ABSTRACT

In this chapter, the text emphasizes that focusing on the positive elements of classrooms and schools will give teachers more drive and energy as they face their daily work. Great teachers create positive atmosphere each day in their classrooms despite inevitable negatives such as irate parents, troubled students, and limited resources. Effective teachers treat everyone with dignity and respect ten days out of ten. They may not like all their students, but they act as if they do. Students may remember the times teachers treat them well, but they will always remember when they were treated disrespectfully or unfairly-even if it only one time. Focusing on all the positive things their classrooms and schools gives teachers the drive and energy to get through the less positive times. Effective teachers know that one of a teacher's most important tasks is to model appropriate behavior. Great teachers, therefore, model the behavior of treating all people with dignity and respect all the time.