The Ability to Change Your Surroundings

This is a article is a part of the Teachers Lounge page under the "Motivational" heading where we try to share different stories that will make you want to keep teaching. That is what  a lounge is about, a place to rest and gear up for more teaching.

I have been a naturally pessimistic person for the majority of my life. I use a negative attitude to protect myself (it is the wall I put up).

The Logic:

• If I have low expectations and events turnout to be bad...then it isn't a disappointment.
• If I have low expectations and events turnout to be good...then it is a success.
• If I have high expectations and events turnout to be good...then it is still a success
• If I have high expectations and events turnout to be bad...I enter into a self-loathing phase.

I have never gotten excited about voting because I do not have a voice. I am 1 out of nearly 4,000,000 voters in my state alone. My vote has no impact. 

For whatever reason I was excited this year to support the 3rd party candidate Gary Johnson.

I was excited to see the impact of my vote on TV as the polls reported the numbers. Much to my dismay, Johnson didn't get a single mention on any station that I saw. 

I woke up and the first thing I tweeted was about how little impact I have on America. Then I saw this:

We have the power to change our surroundings no matter how small we are.

Really all we have to do is sit up straight and we will have an impact.

Note to Teachers:

Your students are individuals. Treat them as such. Let them all know that they do have a voice and they can make a difference. 

They have the ability to change their surroundings. You may need to remind them to check their attitudes from time to time...but it is so crucial to understand the important things.