Supporting Children and Lifting Them Up

As you have probably guessed by now, I enjoy reading books about people who are passionate about learning and teaching.  One of my favorite authors regarding this subject is Ron Clark.  You probably know who he is.  He is a motivational speaker and was named the Disney Teacher of the Year in 2001.  He has been a teacher at some of the most challenging schools in the U.S.  If I recall correctly, his first teaching assignment was in North Carolina, and most recently he is teaching in Harlem, New York.  Clark's first book was called The Essential 55 which discusses the characteristics of great teachers.  In 2004 he published The Excellent 11 which discusses qualities teachers and parents use to motivate, inspire, and educate children.  In this book, Clark says "the number one thing parents and teachers can do to positively affect the lives of our children and students is to become more aware of the way we speak to them."  Clark then writes about a school he visited in Phoenix, AZ where the faculty members had been instructed to make every attempt to be positive with all the children.  They were never supposed to be negative or focus on the weaknesses of the children.  Clark goes on to describe the school as one where the children are overflowing with pride, and the teachers offer support and love.  We need to remember that children see themselves reflected in our eyes.  If we constantly say things that are negative, disrespectful or rude those connotations will become part of the child.