Spotlight On Success - Congressman Sherwood Boehlert

In one such story person from a very poor background, educationally or otherwise, came to city from the rural hinterland. In search of greener pastures, he had fled his village after passing junior high school (class 8th) examination. After coming to the city he worked as a water boy in a charitable college. He lived in miserable condition away from his home with no support whatsoever. He, however, continued his studies and passed his high school examination, and thereafter in the next two years finished his intermediate (class 12). For his effort he was offered to work as a lab assistant in the same college.

"Eight cows?" Mr. Shopkeeper gasped in amazement. Eight was unprecedented. "It must be some kind of mistake." However, true to his word, Johnny delivered the cows himself to seal the deal. Before the wedding, Johnny came to the shop to order a wedding present--a golden, hand-held mirror.

golden teacher My English teacher was tall and desperately skinny with a long bony nose upon which rested a considerable pair of thick glasses. I was thirteen and didn't see any of that. What I saw was a frustrated poet who was teaching us the language by playing us haunting songs. In one lesson he introduced our young minds to the trio, Peter, Paul and Mary and their plaintive "Leaving on a Jet Plane". It was hard not to cry for all the world's farewells, right there, in class.

Like any experienced Jewish son, I quickly disregarded my mother's concern as paranoia. This is a woman who would triple-lock her bedroom door living in a convent (probably to ward off any lesbian nuns). When I became a lawyer, she suggested I change my last name and pretend to be gentile, because "law firms might not like the Jews." I informed her that in fact many of the most prominent law firms had Jewish names, but my mother wrote that off to an "attempt to be politically correct." According to her, those Jews were probably just figureheads. Apparently the Pope is the real mastermind behind the American legal system.

Like any experienced Jewish son, I quickly disregarded my mother's concern as paranoia. This is a woman who would triple-lock her bedroom door living in a convent (probably to ward off any lesbian nuns). When I became a lawyer, she suggested I change my last name and pretend to be gentile, because "law firms might not like the Jews." I informed her that in fact many of the most prominent law firms had Jewish names, but my mother wrote that off to an "attempt to be politically correct." According to her, those Jews were probably just figureheads. Apparently the Pope is the real mastermind behind the American legal system.

Boxcar Children, Gertrude Warner: This book was written decades ago, but they story has stood the test of time. It's amazing how many, now adults, tell how this book made them into avid readers. And they have passed the series on to their own children. The tale is of four children who travel in an empty boxcar without parental supervision, a captivating storyline for children constantly reined in and directed by adults. Somehow the children find ways to survive through happenstance or ingenuity.

golden teacher growkit Nothing bugs these types of students more than unfair punishment and the sceptre of a 'teacher's pet'. Therefore, make sure you deal equally with all students committing the same 'offence'. Don't bring past history or reputation in to your dealings with students in a new class or year. Tell the class every student begins in your class with a 'clean sheet'. You will not remember or seek to find out their 'reputation' unless they give you cause to do that.

growkit golden teacher I have learned the hard way that Depression and Despair are demanding, difficult but wonderful teachers; ergo the reason for capitalizing them. Depression is one way that our soul is endeavoring to reach out and help us. We become depressed when our life is out of balance and we are not 'doing' what we are supposed to be doing. We have gotten off track and lost our way.

golden teacher growkit Thankfully, the skills I had acquired in one profession were easily transferred to another. But, I learned that the real key to success was knowing myself well and ensuring that my skills always fit the work I was undertaking.

golden teacher golden teacher Next the parents need to balance reality for their child. They need to have their children juggle one ball for sports, one for school, and one for family. When a child/athlete drops a ball, they need to be there to help them recover and get the ball aloft again. Those two tasks, providing and balancing, are the parent's most essential. Beyond that they need to sit back and observe, allow their child/athlete to do what they can, make decisions on their outcomes, wrestle with the results and unconditionally love them regardless of the win or loss.

These give the student a face saving opportunity to back down when they realise they have gone too far. If they continue, then the situation has escalated and you need to invoke your school discipline code.