Day 95

Day 95: Real Time
Day 4: 21 Day Complaint Free Journey


Teachers are pretty cool people. They endure, no matter what. The majority are dedicated to helping kids every day, even under increasingly adverse work conditions.

Do they complain? Of course. Who wouldn’t, in their situation? The stress is huge.

But they still show up.

I worked with a group of about 16 middle and high school teachers yesterday, all of whom teach reading to teenagers. My task was to familiarize them with the book they are required to use and to allow them some time to delve into some strategies that will enable their students to learn to read better. Not just the “average” ones. Even the ones who are performing far below grade level and are often abandoned.

They listened. They participated. I think they appreciated the help. But they really only wanted to be in their empty classrooms getting ready for Monday’s craziness of the first day of school. Their pre-“planning” week is stuffed full of meeting after meeting, training after training, administrative task after bureaucratic paper processing. They have no time for true planning, time they need in order to decide how to present lessons using all the knowledge they have to students they don’t know yet, time to make their rooms engaging and bright for kids.

During my trainings I give teachers an individually wrapped life saver. The message is clear.

So, as all educators show up for the beginning of this school year, bless you for being there. I love working with all of you. Our afternoon together was the highlight of my day, a day without complaint. I hope that I respected your time and provided help rather than hindrance.


A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others. ~Author Unknown