I try so hard to keep things fun and refreshing so we dont ever feel like we need "reenergized", we will sit outside in the grass on warm sunny days for class discussions.I like to move seats around a lot, sometimes in a circle or a square, we do a lot of "ice breakers" when we are feeling sluggish, but it still happens occasionally. When it does I ask my class for ideas to "spruce" things up a bit and I always use one of their ideas. It really makes them feel good to give input on how our classes… >>>

On the first day of school with each new class I assign as a Library Project, due at mid-term a "mission statement". The students must put into writing why they wanted to go to school, what their goals are and what their drive or inspiration to be there is. After I grade these I make a copy of them and put them in each students personal file.Simply so that if they lose track of this somewhere along the way I can refresh their memory as to why exactly they are doing this and hopefully put that inspiration back into their… >>>

When I first starting teaching and was younger than some of my students, I feel there were times I really had to work hard to prove to them that I deserved to be there. It made me a much better teacher and taught me a lot about age diversity in the classroom. We (both myself and the students) quickly learned to respect each other allowing me to provide the best education possible. With simple understanding and compassion of what each had to deal with in order to give and receive an education. Its a big step for an adult, old… >>>