You is Kind, You is Smart, You is Important

If you have read the book The Help or seen the movie you know that “You is Kind, You is Smart, You is Important” is a memorable line. After the character Aibeeelen witnesses the child (Mae Mobley Leefort) she is caring for being hurt over and over again by her mother, she decides to do something about it. Everyday she tells the young child in her care something good about herself. Several scenes in the movie and book bring us to Aibeeelen holding Baby Girl, Mae Mobley, and saying:

You a smart girl. You a kind girl, Mae Mobley. You hear me?

You is kind, you is smart, you is important!

As soon as Mae Mobley learns to talk, Aibee is having her repeat this self-affirmation. When Aibee is forced to leave the household, she reminds Mae Mobley of these words one last time.

I can’t help but think this message needs to spread to every child and adult on the planet! This self-affirmation, like many others, empower us to live our lives to the fullest.

Students and adults experience times of stress and rejection. Believing in ourselves by combating the negative with positive thinking helps to reprogram our unconscious mind. There is an abundance of resources on this topic. Probably one of the most noted is The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, the Champion of Positive Thinking. I have collected a few other resources that my be of assistance, especially with students.

• Classroom Habitudes: How to Teach 21st Century Learning Habits and Attitudes by Angela Maiers
• Angela helps us explore habits, behaviors and attitudes that will ensure our students for success both inside and outside our classroom walls. These include: imagination, curiosity, self-awareness, perseverance, courage and adaptability.
• The Passion-Driven Classroom: A Framework for Teaching and Learning by Angela Maiers and Amy Sandvold
• Angela and Amy help guide us to cultivate a thriving and passionate community of learners. Passion-driven educators  sustain students’ energy, excitement and love for learning.
• Classroom Affirmations – A Google search led to many sites, but one that stood out was the D-K Instructional Coach site affiliated with the San Juan Unified School District. The whole resource section is a TREASURE TROVE!
• The classroom affirmation page provides numerous, already made posters for classroom use. Check them out!
• Building Community in the Classroom – When I was first introduced to this site, I saw it for its user-friendly set up introducing a variety of Web 2.0 tools. Upon deeper investigation, as in reading the directions (What is this resource about), I discovered its intended meaning. Martin Jorgenson, the creator, describes the power of using social media in the classroom.  He states, “We build our sense of community in the classroom by strengthening identity, by creating an environment of inclusivity and trust. Most of all, we enhance a sense of community by reaching out beyond the classroom for shared experience.” We have an abundance of tools at our finger tips! Check out the examples!
• Success Affirmations for Students Video – This video could be used to introduce students to positive affirmations. Better yet, students could make their own!
• Below is a young girl, back in 2001, who knows the power of self-affirmations. (See Jessica as a 13-year-old here) What started out as a father uploading family videos to You Tube, went viral. She even resembles Mae Mobley, the young character in the movie The Help.

• If you haven’t had the opportunity to view Angela Maiers recent TEDx Talk-Des Moines introducing us to two words (You Matter) that can change the world, please see my blog post The Little Things MATTER – Believe in Each Other! Together, in the spirit of treating everyone as they matter, we guide ourselves, our students, fellow educators and all stakeholders to strengthening self-efficacy thus building a community focused on collective-efficacy!
• One last video (there are so many inspiring ones available) – Six Questions For Everyday. Each day is what you make of it!

My goal as an instructional coach (and aspiring administrator) is to inspire and rejuvenate educators and ensure that each person knows they matter. I enjoy working side-by-side with educators to help make their teaching lives more effective, efficient, and enjoyable.

The beauty of global connections is to learn from each other. What are resources you have found helpful to promote positive thinking with students and adults alike?

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