If You Don't Feed the Students, They Starve. Neila A. Connors
pleasant atmosphere.
A fine dining experience includes “positiveness,” where everyone from the maître d to the servers to the busboys have a positive attitude about what they do. Positiveness must also exist in a FSS. We all know that the foundation to being positive is attitude. A positive attitude is the most important quality adults must possess to F.E.E.D. students so they don't S.T.A.R.V.E. (Stop Trying And Reject Valuable Education). Students know the adults who love being at the school and those who do not. Life is a choice, and every one of us chooses our attitude every day. When adults elect to work in schools with students they must make that choice because they like students, they believe they can make a difference, and they will do whatever it takes to help students achieve; consistency.
The longer I live, the more I realize the effect of attitude on life. Attitude is more important than the past, education, money, circumstances, than failures or successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more critical than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a school, company, church, or home. The significant attribute is that we have a choice each day to choose our attitude and hug and embrace it for the day. We can't change the past or the fact that people act a certain way. We can't change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have left, and that is our attitude. Life is 10% of what happens and 90% of how we react. It is crucial to accept that we are in charge of our own attitudes and how we deal with every situation.
The following chart on attitude outlines our chances of success:
DEGREES OF POSITIVENESS RELATED TO CHANCES FOR SUCCESS.
| ATTITUDE | CHANCE OF SUCCESS (%) |
| I won't | 0 |
| I can't | 10 |
| I don't know how | 20 |
| I wish I could | 30 |
| I want to | 40 |
| I think I might | 50 |
| I might | 60 |
| I think I can | 70 |
| I can | 80 |
| I will | 90 |
| I did | 100 |
Source: author unknown
Everyone Must Feel Valued
An FSS is known for recognizing that the emotional dimension of learning and teaching is at the core of the mission statement and climate. A mission statement is short yet clear, succinct, and easy to remember. It sends the message to everyone that students and learning are valued. The emotional climate is essential.
“In the long run, the pessimist may be proven right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip!”
Author unknown
Kindra Teale writes in her article “How I Make Every Student Feel Valued in My Classroom” that she is a “PROUD teacher who believes the noble profession is a craft which is honed through live experience and HEART. Every day I drive to work, I repeat the same mantra-prayer in my head. PLEASE help my mind find the right words when I feel challenged or impatient, show no malice when a middle schooler tells me to F-off – again, keep my sense of humor, be a good listener, teach my content area well and above all else, look into the eyes of each student with KINDNESS.” KINDNESS is the key to everything shared. You go, girl.
Kindra has it in a nutshell. She is making her students feel valued. Do you have a daily mantra? An example is the one I use every day preparing for my middle school students: Too BLESSED to be STRESSED, Too EQUIPPED to be WHIPPED, and Too ANOINTED to be DISAPPOINTED.
When I meet my students on the first day of school, I have them answer the following questionnaire.
1 Name: __________ What to call you: _________
2 A special talent I have is:
3 # of brothers: _______ # of sisters: _____________
4 Something about your family:
5 Respectful means:Responsible means:Ready means:
6 My birthday is:
7 My favorite color is:
8 My favorite food is:
9 My favorite subject is:
10 My favorite teacher is _________________ because:
11 Who is a hero in your life?
12 What do you want to do after high school?
13 I wish:
14 School is:
15 I love:
16 The most fun I have is when I:
17 Math is:
18 I'm happiest when:
19 A gift/reward that I would work hard to earn is:
20 I'm thankful for:
21 Actions that teachers take to F.E.E.D me:
22 TEN other facts you need to know about me:
This gives me an overview of each student in my class. I have them complete it again in April to see what has changed. A climate focused on dignity and respect where everyone is valued ultimately develops the positive relationships we hunger to establish.
F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought
Following are specific activities and ideas that can be implemented to reinforce how to F.E.E.D. students so they don't S.T.A.R.V.E.:
1 At each table of teams identify the definition of each term (dignity and respect), three activities already in place that emphasize dignity and respect, and one activity that each adult personally does to emphasize dignity and respect.
2 Have teams identify qualities of a meaningful relationship in a staff meeting. Share and have a discussion on building relationships with students.
3 Encourage random acts of kindness in students and adults. Create an “I saw you being KIND today” certificate to give out to students caught being kind. They can go to the office to share with the administration and receive a reward.
4 Discuss the history of Native Americans with students. Share the Native American Code of Ethics and discuss each blessing:
Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy, and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed, and treat them with respect and honor.Do not take what is not yours, whether from a person, a community, the wilderness, or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.Respect all things that are placed upon this earth. Whether it be people or plants.Honor other people's thoughts, wishes, and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic