Separate personal beliefs, judgments and moral standards from our responsibility to feel compassion and concern for those we find different or even personally unacceptable.

Keep in mind as professional educators we do not have the luxury of deciding which students are worthwhile and which are not.

When we are at Ferris we are on company time and we need to be a positive influence on students even those that say or do things that make us feel disappointed, angry or frustrated.

View challenging students as having something to teach us about becoming a better teacher.

"I know God put you in my class to make me a better teacher and a more patient person. He is reminding me that I still have a ways to go to successfully reach all of my students"

Develop policies of respect and tolerance but not "zero" tolerance. Students operate on an on going learning curve and they are going to make mistakes.

Remember people visit their old ways of doing things many times on their way to acquiring new behaviors.

Students will continue the behaviors that work for them to get what they think they need—unless we create reasons for change

Don’t give up when students don’t respond initially—an emotionally distant student will not respond quickly

Use positive language—students are not stubborn or disobedient they are determined and persistent—see their strengths not their deficit

Greet each student at the beginning of class, or any other time you see them

Smile!!!!!!

Send students notes of encouragement or congratulations

Provide a learning environment that has enough structure (rules or policies) to create a sense of safety for the students

Ask students on Mondays what’s one thing could I do better this week? Also here is a suggestion of how you all can do better this week.

Take pictures of students while they are working in groups or labs—show them in the next class

Humor awards—the most amazing answer to a question Or The most days without saying a word in class

Create e-mail list and communicate often to the class and to individuals—words of encouragement—suggestions for improvement

If you are busy in class or your office give "rain checks" to students in which you promise other times to answer their questions.

If some of your rules are opposed by students ask them for acceptable alternatives—give them the opportunity to have a say.

Have a suggestion box outside your office.