Karen Katafiasz - Teacher Therapy

Teacher Therapy Karen Katafiasz Illustrated by R. W. Alley Abbey Press Foreword Theres a wry adage that maintains the three best things about teaching are June, July, and August. As every teacher knows, at times that line hardly seems like a joke. Teachingif you do it rightis tough. Every student is utterly unique, with different learning styles and strengths, interests, experiences, and motivations.

And each student places demands on you that require you to respond with your entire beingbody, mind, and spirit. No wonder teaching is more a calling than a job, needing as much talent and skill as any art. And no wonder you sometimes feel so depleted, so tired. Teacher Therapy cant take away the tough times. It wont decrease your class size or correct your papers, plan your lessons or perfect your students. But it does offer sound and realistic advicefor taking care of yourself, for bringing out the best in those you teach, for recognizing and respecting the power you have to change lives.

With its inspiring words and lighthearted illustrations, this pocket-size pep talk will renew the enthusiasm that stirred in your heart when you first knew that you were meant to be a teacher. 1. To spend your life doing what matters is the greatest of all achievements. Teaching matters. 2. Remember those teachers who influenced your life for the good. What did they do? How did they give you what you needed? Follow their example. 3. Be aware that you teach so much more than a subject.

You are opening minds and hearts; you are shaping lives. 4.Radiate enthusiasm for your students, for learning, for lifeand for engaging students in learning and in life. Your studentsand youwill be so much richer.5. Be passionate about the subject matter that you teach. Excitement is contagious. 6. Listen to and respect your students dreams. 7. Children need healthy structure and guidelines to learn and to grow well. 7. Children need healthy structure and guidelines to learn and to grow well.

Give your students rules that are firm, fair, and consistent. 8. Act with honesty, justice, and integrity. By doing so, you teach these values without effort. 9 Use good organization to increase your effectiveness and give your day structure. If you take work home, make a conscious decision to do so. 10. When you ask your students to be responsible, you must be responsible to them. 10. When you ask your students to be responsible, you must be responsible to them.

Honor your commitments; keep your promises. 11. Teaching is demandingtake care of yourself physically. Have a healthy lunch, make time for exercise, get enough rest. 12. Take care of yourself spiritually. Center yourself in God; be aware of Gods presence in your classroom. 13. Students need a classroom where they feel welcomed, safe, respected, challenged.

Make your classroom that place. 14. You have a great deal of power in the classroompower to set the tone, power to make a childs time there miserable or joyful. Use your power for good. 15. Teach your students that its all right to make mistakes. Mistakes arent reasons for shame but chances to learn and do better. 16. There will be times when you wont easily relate to a student.

Be aware of your feelings and preferences, and try to transcend them by striving to give every child equal attention and equal treatment. 17. Offer basic acceptance to your studentsnot necessarily of their behavior but always of their being, their very existence. Even when you dont like your students, you can love them. 18. There can be so much tugging at your students minds and heartstroubled family situations, changing friendships, uncertainties, doubts, and fears. Be aware of them as whole persons. 19. Realize that for some students, school is a respite, a place of safety.

Keep it a safe place for them to reveal themselves and to be themselves. 20. Each day, you have the opportunity to offer your students the world, to give them life-changing knowledge and experiences. Relish the possibilities. 21. Help your students to discover their strengths, to achieve, to excel. Satisfaction at what they accomplish will give them self-esteem.