So much to tell

With the few days that I left with these kids, I am realizing each day how much I have taken from this experience. These kids are my first class, and I will miss them a lot. We have been through ups and downs... And today was certainly an up. Just in the last two weeks, I have finally felt like a real teacher to these kids. And... I have certainly have learned quite a bit from them. Today, I leave a few words of wisdom that many of my students teach me everyday.

~Don't take things for granted.
~Appreciate the people and things you have in life.
~Kids are a lot smarter than we give them credit for.
~Don't try to hide reality from kids. They will see right through you.
~LISTEN. This is something we ask kids to do all day long, but find it hard to do as adults.
~They don't want their teacher to be their friend. They want an adult who shows they care.
~Pulling kids aside to say how great their behavior has been is a much better way to manage your class before it gets out of control. Kids like to hear good things about themselves.
~Tell your kids they are smart, and that you value them. Because you may be the only adult that tells them this.