Lucky to Be a Teacher 2/e

In 2008, Louise A. Chickie-Wolfe retired from classroom teaching after 35 years of experience. She taught general education, gifted children, and students with serious learning and behavioral problems. Her experience covers elementary, middle school, high school, and college levels. Chickie-Wolfe has also informed, inspired, and motivated educators and parents at workshops across the country. She currently serves as an adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Education at Purdue University Calumet, where she has worked for more than 30 years. She trained and supervised student teachers at Peabody College, where she also taught courses in special education and managing academic and social behavior in the classroom. Named Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the Indiana chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children and again by the Inland Steel/Ryerson Foundation, Chickie-Wolfe was also named The Times 2008 Woman of Merit, received a Master Teacher Endowment, and spoke at the International School Psychology Association's 2007 Colloquium in Tempere, Finland. In that same year, she received a grant to create and sponsor a junior historical society in her community for students in Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8, which keeps her busy and maintains her involvement with students. She is the co-author of the book Fostering Independent Learning and co-authored a chapter in Best Practices in School Psychology V on study skills. She is the educational and behavioral consultant and speaker/trainer for Schoolhouse Treasures Ink, Inc. She earned her doctorate degree at George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in Special Education and Human Development. Through these varied experiences and with the love of her family and friends, Chickie-Wolfe has developed a teaching and personal philosophy that is positive, sensitive, and highly successful.

List of Affirmations Preface About the Author Introduction What Are Cognitive Affirmations Your Brain Believes What You Tell It Brain-Compatible Instruction The Nature of the Message Practice Makes Perfect How to Use This Workbook Effectively References The Affirmations, Elaborations, and Guided Reflections Affirmation 1. I Believe in the Inherent Worth of Each Student Affirmation 2. I Make a Difference in the Lives of My Students Affirmation 3. I Create a Safe and Friendly Atmosphere in My Classroom Affirmation 4. I Smile a Lot and Am Very Positive in My Work Affirmation 5. I Say Exactly What I Mean and Mean Exactly What I Say Affirmation 6. I Am Fair and Considerate of My Students' Feelings Affirmation 7. I Am Creative and Competent Affirmation 8. I Realize That Teaching Is a Profession of Utmost Importance Affirmation 9. I Believe That Children Are Our Most Important Natural Resource Affirmation 10. I Am a Lifelong Learner and My Students Know It Affirmation 11. I Am Organized and I Plan Ahead Affirmation 12. I Believe That Teaching Is Satisfying and Rewarding Affirmation 13. I Am Not the Same Teacher I Was Yesterday Because Each Day I Learn and Experience More Affirmation 14. I Remember How Much It Hurts to Fail and I Am Patient and Understanding With Students' Difficulties Affirmation 15. I Do Not Take Personally Anything Said to Me in Anger by a Student Affirmation 16. I Am Consistent and Knowledgeable in My Field Affirmation 17. I Know My Students' Abilities and I Have Realistic Expectations for Each of Them Affirmation 18. My Students and I Become a Family Affirmation 19. I Celebrate Every Milestone--Even the Smallest Ones Affirmation 20. I Help My Students Find Academic and Personal Success Affirmation 21. I Model Honesty and Dependability Affirmation 22. I Encourage My Students to Think Affirmation 23. I Enjoy the Diversity of My Students Affirmation 24. I Share Positive Moments From My Class With Colleagues Affirmation 25. I Know How the Brain Works Best and I Teach Accordingly Affirmation 26. I Make Personal Connections With My Students Affirmation 27. I Help My Students Make Personal Connections to What They Study Affirmation 28. I Incorporate Service Projects Into My Teaching Affirmation 29. I Welcome Change and Handle It Easily Affirmation 30. I Seek and Find Peace in My Workplace as I Help Build a Better World Affirmation 31. I Respect My Students and They Respect Me Affirmation 32. My Students and I Have Fun Together Affirmation 33. My Students and I Learn Together Guidelines for Writing Your Own Affirmations Workspace for Writing Your Own Affirmations

"There is no more exhilarating, exciting, or downright demanding job than that of a teacher. Chickie-Wolfe has captured many of the dispositions and attributions that great teachers have possessed or developed in the process of becoming great. Using this workbook to elaborate, reflect, and act on these and other such affirmations will help you be a great teacher." -- Robert Rivers, Dean, School of Education "Chickie-Wolfe captures the essence of what it means to be a teacher through the values that permeate these affirmations. At the heart of her message is the deep belief that the world of ideas is of central importance to us as teachers and as human beings. She not only gives us the rare opportunity to shape our thoughts, which give substance to our beliefs, but offers us myriad possibilities of becoming happier and more successful in all that we do, which is the sign of a remarkable teacher." -- Mari Koerner, Dean, College of Teacher Education and Leadership "In my current role, I would encourage teachers and principals to utilize the positive affirmation questions to begin staff meetings and facilitate meaningful dialogue. Too often, we don't take the time for reflection, which is imperative to our growth. Our goal is to create a positive and nurturing environment for all of our children to learn and grow. The reflective nature of the workbook can help create this reality." -- Shannon O'Brien, Director of Curriculum and Instruction