The words by Haim Ginott are in my reflections diary. I read it every time before my classes begin. I feel great responsibility for the kids, for their academic and emotional development. For me, the establishment of a safe and comfortable environment is paramount and comes before any qualifications, different approaches and methods.

I have come to a frightening conclusion,

I am the decisive element in the classroom.

It is my personal approach that creates the climate.

It is my daily mood that creates the weather.

As a teacher I possess 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 humour, 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.

Do you have your special quotes, mottos or poems which guide your teaching?