I received a package in the mail a few days before my first day of school as a brand new teacher. It was from my mother. Inside the box was a very large file that included my report cards, progress reports, papers I had written that were marked up with a lot red ink, and several tests with a large letter “F” on them. The feedback on these items included: -“Not sure how Bryan qualified for the gifted program since he can’t read” -“Bryan won’t be college material” -“Bryan doesn’t seem to care about anything but sports” -“Bryan just needs to focus better” -“I’m not sure why Bryan asks to go to the nurse and counselor all the time” -“Bryan needs to learn how to sit still and be quiet” -“I’m not sure what else I can do, I’ve already taken his recess away most days” This made me sad. I had not seen these before. I think my mother had tried to shelter me from all of these negatives. At the bottom of the box was a notecard from my mom that said, “Try to see each of your student’s strengths. I know you will do better for your students. I am so proud of you! Love Mom”. After my career as a teacher and principal, I became a therapist. The majority of my adult clients can remember both the most positive thing a teacher said to them and also the most negative. Remember, our words matter. We have the power to build someone up or tear them down. What comment(s) do you remember hearing from a teacher? From the book: “Whatever It Takes!: For All Students to Succeed in School and Life” (a.co/d/3sOcuFW) Join the “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook group at: facebook.com/groups/maslowbe…