8 great pieces of advice teachers have cherished throughout their careers

Teacher Robyn Howton shared how one question has informed her teaching for more than a decade: “If this were my child, what would I want this teacher to do?” That’s powerful stuff – and just as powerful was seeing the emails, tweets and comments pour in from all of you who wanted to tell other teachers about your most cherished teaching advice:

1. “Behavior is communication. You’ve got to figure out what the child is trying to tell you.”—Brooke Chapman via email
2. “A teacher said once, ‘Last year’s lessons won’t work with this year’s students. Reinvent the wheel. Stay fresh.’”—‏@jennymacwalker
3. “My advice: If you owe a student or a class an apology, give it. Students are so forgiving and the fact that you come clean and are real with them teaches them how to apologize with grace.”—Carol Brandt via email
4. “Always take a day in October and February for you…to be better for them!”—‏@BJRangergirl
5. “My mentor teacher told me, ‘Always remember that every child is somebody’s everything.’ I have never forgotten this!”—Bridget Bryson via email
6. “Say thank you to parents, students. It’s amazing what those two words can mean.”—@betseybess
7. “Early on in my career, a veteran teacher pointed out to me that the kids who need the most love will ask for it in the most unloving ways. These words of wisdom stayed with me my entire career, and as a result, I had more compassion for the students who would disrupt class time, etc. This understanding helped both the student and myself.”—Anna Young via email
8. “Be like Gumby! Flexibility matters.”—@Robbinswriters 

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