Believe

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That grad school daughter of mine…

Had to teach a lesson on reading development…decided that mother of hers…would be a great guest speaker…

Asked the night before…gave little time for prep…for planning…for the I-don’t-know-if-I-can-do-this panic…

Cuz there’s something about retirement…the job ends…and it’s like that part of you…goes in a box…gets set on a shelf…is put away in storage…

Wasn’t sure if the knowledge was there…if the words would come…if this old gal still has what it takes…to come across…as professional…

But give teacher me a platform to share her philosophy…and she could blather on forever…but it really only comes down to one thing…

Believe…believe in your students…and they…will believe…in themselves…

Yea…there’s materials and strategies…blah blah blah…but without belief…that confidence…is gonna be in a box…on a shelf…in storage somewhere..

And sometimes it’s important…to take that box down…dust it off…lift off that lid…and make yourself…and that grad school student of yours…proud…
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And that daughter of mine…agrees…