Day 96

Day 96: Real Time
Day 5: 21 Day Complaint Free Journey



Yesterday I worked with a group of professionals who work in centers for students who are put out of their schools for serious misbehavior. Rather than have these kids roaming the streets unsupervised, their parents have the option of having them placed with these teachers and social workers for the duration of their suspension from school.

One might initially think that educators and other professionals who deal with difficult populations are hardened themselves. As a trainer, the first time I had to contemplate standing in front of such a group, I was a bit intimidated. Well, if I’m being honest, I was shaking in my boots!

But over the years, I have learned from experience standing in those boots that these folks are caring, compassionate professionals who are there for only one reason: To help kids who are often tossed aside as unredeemable. I have worked with people who deal with students labeled in all kinds of ways, ways that are often erroneous but convenient.

And the vast majority of these professionals, all of them, are eager to learn how to do their jobs better. They sat there yesterday for the requisite two hours and listened to me talk about teaching teens who read far below grade level, politely at first and then enthusiastically. When I left, they were released for lunch…and told to be back for yet another meeting in the afternoon.

They thanked me on the way out.

And I think they actually meant it.

Day 5.