“Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.” – John F. Kennedy

 If we think back to the teachers in our lives who made the greatest difference in the direction we took, it was the one, or if we were truly fortunate, the ones, who not only believed in our abilities, but inspired us to believe in ourselves and go forth.

 Different teaching styles within the profession vary from lecturing to facilitating group interactions and activities, or something in between.  A common trait shared by many who are described as good teachers seems to be those who have some sort of connectivity within their classrooms. Teachers who enjoy their work and their students help inspire their students to be more motivated, energized, and creative.  Teachers who believe in their student’s ability to succeed, have students that time and time again, prove them right.

 The reality of the challenges teachers face today could wear down the soul of those in other professions.  There is something so unique with individuals who choose to go into the world of education, considering all that must be accomplished in taking a four or five-year old and preparing them for the world in which we all live—in just 13 short years.

 As parents, we too are teachers.  It may not be so much that our children listen to and follow what we say.  Rather, it is their constant eye on what we do that makes the lasting difference.  They learn intently from seeing how we live our lives.  So much education goes on in the world of watching.  However, while we work hard at teaching our children all about life, it is the children that teach us what life is all about.

 Teaching is life that happens in our homes, schools, and communities.  We are in a constant state of learning.  To keep the mind from being stagnant, continual learning is essential for positive growth and the prevention of stagnation.  Learning is indeed life-long. 

 Thank your teachers.  Thank your children’s teachers.  And if you are a teacher, we truly thank you! The difference that was made and will continue to be made can be attributed to the profession, our teachers, who make all of the difference in our world. Teachers teach all other professions.  The spark of influence can truly ignite the potential our world holds, through just one student at a time by just one teacher at a time!

1. Play fair.
2. Don't hit people.
3. Put things back where you found them.
4. CLEAN UP YOUR OWN MESS.
5. Don't take things that aren't yours.
6. Say you're SORRY when you HURT somebody.
7. Wash your hands before you eat.
8. Flush.
9. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
10. Live a balanced life - learn some and drink some and draw some and paint some and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
11. Take a nap every afternoon.
12. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
13. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
14. Goldfish and hamster and white mice and even the little seed in the styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
15. And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK."

— Robert Fulghum author of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Lana M. Saal, M.S., Manager of BPS’ Staff Wellness program holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition, Master of Science degree in Health Education, and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership.  She has over 25 years of health and wellness work-life experience and can be reached at Saal.Lana@BrevardSchools.org