Lucky to Be a Teacher

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