February+8,+2011

Every Moment Matter

1. Nine out of ten people believe that they are more productive around positive people. Do you think that this figure is accurate? Can you think of a time that you were more productive due to the inspiration of someone else? I definitely believe that 9 out of 10 people are more productive around positive people. My mentor during student teaching, Janet Lowe, filled my bucket every day always providing positive feedback and wording areas in need of improvement in such a way that it fueled me to want to become a better teacher. She certainly believed in me and took pleasure in the relationships I had with her students and took the time to touch base with me periodically once I was employed as a teacher in the town to see how I was doing. - HMT

I do think a single moment can change your life..I think it is only when we look back that we realize the decisions we made had a major impact in the direction our life took.

I think when people are nagative in the work place it brings the mood down. I know I just feel better when I am around more positive people...K.C.

2. What do you think of Dr. Hurlock's study? The study sounds similar to one in which a teacher was told she had the smartest students in the school and taught the class as such (though the students she had were not academically the smartest as measured by their report cards). The students in the class, however, dramatically improved their grades because the teahcer believed in them. The study should probably be shared again with all members of the academic community and be part of the curriculum for students entering college to become future teachers. - HMT

I think it's amazing that the students who were ignored ended up doing worse than the ones who were criticized. -EY

3. On page 41, Rath discusses "Thousands of Moments Every Day". Do you agree with the statement, " ...a single moment encounter can change your life forever." ? Yes or no and why? I coach a youth track & field/cross country team. I take all kids who are interested regardless of their athletic ability. I was particularly touched by the comment of one mother who told me I was the first coach who treated her son the same as the most talented athlete on the team. It made him want to come to practice and work hard which ended up helping him make it through the school day. It made me realize that you need to fuel the desires of all kids and spend time working on their strengths which in turn helps areas that are not as strong. - HMT

I absolutely think a single moment can change your life forever. I'll never forget in college, I was in a terrible mood as I was walking through campus. A boy walked past me and told me I dropped something. As I was looking around for what I dropped, he told me I had lost my smile. Which of course instantly made me smile. But it changed my mood that day and taught me that we all have the power to "fill buckets" and make positive change. It's a silly story, but it had an impact. A simple smile, wink, compliment..so easy to do and so worthwhile too. -EY

4. Rath mentions the "Magic Ratio". What are your thoughts about this? I believe in the Magic Ratio (though it should possibly be even as high as 10-1). People need to hear far more positive feedback and experience more positive interactions than negative ones. I found it interesting that their predictions of the divorce rate was 94% accurate. This needs to be shared more with the general public. - HMT

The magic ratio motivates me to really try and be more positive, and to point out the positive to others. -EY

I wanted to share another way to show students their positive progress. Since I am able to work with my students from K-4, I am able to share with them some of their earliest work. What overwhelming expressions of pride to see how far they have come!- HMM