h.+Chapter+8+-+The+Teacher+is+the+Filter

Chapter 8 - The Teacher is the Filter

Our behavior sets the tone for our classroom. It is important to realize that we make choices about how we respond to our students, parents, and co-workers.

If we respond to irate parents by venting our frustration to others, we fuel that frustration. Soon those feelings spread and adversely affect our school environment. As educators, if we focus on the negative, our students will focus on the negative. If, however, our tone is positive and professional our students will respond in a like manner. If we are able to filter the negative energy out, teaching and learning will be more exciting.

The teachers' lounge should be a place where teachers can relax, socialize, and enjoy each other's company. Griping and complaining should not be the tone of the conversations.

It is also important to have an effective filter between personal lives and classrooms. If there is a controversy at school, teachers should help resolve the controversy and not invite students to join in the discussion.

Expectations often turn into reality. If we expect students to misbehave they will. All schools have problems. It is important to remember that often our problems are small compared with the problems in other schools.