Happy Folder: A Teacher Must

The unfortunate truth is that as teachers have days where we feel defeated. Maybe a brilliant lesson didn't turn out right. Maybe a student acted inappropriately. Maybe we are tired and looking for a break. As teachers, a lot happens in our classrooms that we cannot always control, but just like we remind our students, we control our responses.

As my classmates and I were about to embark on a right of passage, student teaching, we had a college professor who told us to create a "happy folder." She told us it did not have to be fancy, but a folder for us to place "happy memories" such as a thank you from a student, a drawing, a note from a fellow teacher, or anything that reminded us why we joined the profession of teaching.

For the last two years, I have utilized my happy folder frequently, whether adding memories or cheering me up. At the end of the year, when students are ready to be done, it truly helps me reflect on the positive influence we teachers have on our students.

In the last two and a half years, I have letters, thank you's, pictures, and poems in my binder.

Some of my favorite highlights in my binder: (Yes, I take photos of some items just to keep in my binder!)

• A reminder of supportive administration, and all we can do as a team!

• A prom invite, because we (advisors & the junior class) pulled it off and the students had a blast!
• Photos of reading to students
• Photos of my 8th grade basketball teams and my track teams
• A student literacy essay where he describes how his favorite English teacher encouraged and inspired him

And some things that just make me giggle:

• This myth inspired monster my student insisted I have!
• An overheard comment: "I need, like, six brownies to keep from being anorexic."
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Unfortunately, I will not be with this same group of students next year, so I've also had to include some farewell notes and generous gifts:

• This one melted my heart...they did understand the poem and apply it to their own lives!

• This student gave me the first three books in the series, because she had to make sure I read them, even if I'm teaching somewhere else.

• What teacher doesn't appreciate when their students give them a little extra sugar?

• This student remembered that roses are my favorite. Can kids get any sweeter?

After all, we choose our own attitudes, and I—for one—know that I am a better teacher when I'm optimistic and energized. This happy folder helps me do this.

What do you do to stay positive? How do you choose happiness?