Joseph didn’t agree with me when I told him that he was a good kid.
He was in my office, because he was being disruptive in class, and as the Assistant Principal, I often find myself speaking students like Joseph who have made poor choices.
When I began to tell him that he was a good kid, but that he had just made a poor choice, he interrupted me by saying, “No I’m not.”
He believed that he was not a good kid. He had already placed that “bad kid” label on himself, and he was determined to not let me remove it.
It kind of broke my heart.
A 13-year-old should give up on himself just yet.
Joseph had given up, and it worried me. It also got me to thinking.
How many other students are there who have given up on themselves?
How many other kids are falling through the cracks of our educational system, because of these negative labels that some influential adult has affixed to them?
Our kids need someone to believe in them.
Our classrooms need to be a place where every student feels safe and supported, where they have someone who believes in their ability to be successful.
That is why I designed this colorful whiteboard magnet.
This magnet reminds your kids that you are someone who believes in them.
It helps to create that positive classroom environment that kids like Joseph need to connect with school.
You can purchase your magnet on Amazon.com.
Our kids need to know that you believe in them.
Imagine the conversation that you can have when they see it for the first time on your whiteboard.
It’s a 5 in. x 8 in. magnet with an original Sam Rangel design. (That’s me.) I’m pretty proud of it, but it’s more than just a decorative whiteboard magnet.
It’s a tool to help you connect with those students who may have never connected with a teacher before.
We need more teachers who can do this. Our kids need more teachers like this.
Order your I Believe in You magnet here.
Thank you,
Sam