Happy Harry’s Mental Moment…

This daily e-mail can be found at http://twitter.com/harryreo

Yesterday we shared thoughts about the difference between good leaders and great leaders. On
that note- the BEST leaders (leading at work, at home, in sports, in command- WHEREVER we are
leading…) are always the BEST teachers.

With 2 teenagers at home, one readying for his ACT in a few days, I can reflect on the positive
impact that good teachers have made in their lives- the power is tremendous. Just the same
teaching (leading) gone wrong can have just as an adverse effect.

While I have a number of folks that stand out in memory of having made a difference through their
teaching professor Haggerty, political science professor in my first year of college stands out. For
the first time as a young adult did I being to truly THINK and form a VIEW- all from a perspective of
enlightenment that Mr. Haggerty brought out through his teaching (leadership…)

Just the same as I reflect on my professional life, it is the leaders that were and are the BEST
teachers that have had the most profound effect on who I am.

For any teachers that happen to be reading this- THANK YOU. Your role and impact in all of our
lives is tremendous and we are thankful.

For the leaders reading this, take a moment to reflect on your personal leadership for areas of
opportunity and re-read the small piece at the end “It’s Up To Me. Take action each day to be a
BETTER teacher (leader…)

A Parent’s Note to a Teacher

by Anonymous

I'm the voice of a grateful parent

whose child was in your class...
the one who needed help to find his way
You've been a special blessing
as you helped my child succeed
and I'm thankful for the part you had to play
You gave him so much more
than just the lessons in the books
you gave him wings...so he could learn to fly
You ignited a flame within his soul
a passion to learn and grow...
to never give up and always be willing to try
Your encouragement inspired him
and your kindness was so real
but the thing that thrills my heart the most is this...
By building his self-confidence
you changed his life this year
he believes in himself...and a brighter future is his!

It’s Up To Me
by Haim Ginott

I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It's my
daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a
child's life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can
humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a
crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized.