The Wisdom of Dr. Haim Ginott

In refreshing contrast to these examples of how not to teach children, consider these words of wisdom from the late Dr. Haim Ginott (1922-1973):

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression."

"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."

Somehow, I think that he'd know how to deal with a 3rd grade boy who claims that he wants to be a girl.