Dianne White

Sometimes gems of inspiration come when you least expect them. Last night’s Chinese-take-out-so-we-could-watch-the-vice-presidential-debate brought another reminder with implications for both my teaching and writing lives.

In today’s standards-based, high-pressured, “no-child-left-behind” environment, it’s easy to let the constraints of time and curriculum overwhelm my teaching day. The fact remains that there’s a bookload of “hard-core” curriculum to teach and first graders are – by design – active and curious 5 and 6 year olds, most not ready for attentive listening and long-term concentration at anything more rigorous than outdoor play.  But then along comes the reminder: “Nine tenths of education is encouragement.”

It’s true, isn’t it?  We work better, feel better when we’re surrounded by encouraging words.

When we’re certain that others believe in our abilities and we’re convinced that they see our hidden potential, we’re more likely to do what it takes to rise to their expectations.

So why did this particular fortune cookie quote hit a chord today?  Because in the midst of another day of spending far more time than I’d like to on classroom and yard discipline issues, it’s important to remember to keep my eye on the positive. To look for the ways in which I can be an encourager.

And I’m reminded how much easier it is to keep plugging away on a manuscript a friend has critiqued or to venture out into writing in a genre that’s new to me, when I know deep down that the person I’ve entrusted my work with has faith in me.

Kids need the truth when their behavior or work is not up to expectations or their own potential.  And writers do, too: 1/10 – “This is absolutely not acceptable”  and 9/10ths - “You *can* do it.”