The Secret of Attitude - Kristina Mojica

One point that the authors make is that negative teachers rarely see that quality in themselves.  If you were to ask your principal or colleagues about your attitude what do you think they would say?  No matter how positive our attitude, we can always reflect on how we might improve.  Utilizing the secrets shared in this chapter, what improvements might you consider making in the future?


If I were to ask my principal or colleagues about my attitude, I believe they would say I have a very energetic, engaging, and bubbly personality. I try my hardest to keep positive in the workplace, especially around students and co workers. Doing so definitely presents challenges along the way, because, like anyone else, I have bad days where things at home are on my mind. However, I found it is easiest just to leave those things at the door and keep my positive attitude at work. This way, I enjoy work more and get a break from the things that are weighing on my mind. Most of the time this approach works, but every day is not perfect. With the stressors of student teaching, classes, and work, sometimes my fatigue gets the best of me. I usually notice when this happens because I can tell my students are bored and uninterested with my lesson. 

Some improvements I may consider making in the future in terms of my attitude at work is definitely controlling myself in the teacher's lounge, which proves to be a huge obstacle at times. Sitting there with other teachers, it is easy to become influenced with negative attitudes about the school, students, administration, etc, especially if you are new and trying to "fit in". However, at the end of the day, it is imperative to remember who you are and what your main job is, and that is to be a positive role model and advocate for the children  you are teaching. Participating in negative conversations is not a behavior you would want your students to have, so why would it be acceptable to display that behavior yourself? Students learn best from teachers who are happy and excited to teach.