Rules to Teach Your... Students

Facebook reminded me this morning of one of the great blessings of my life. I was  assigned to Mrs. Howell's English class at West Rome High School in the fall of 1963. (Yes, I was on the way to her class when I first got word of the news of the day/decade/half-century) on November 22, 1963.)  

I was not overflowing with self-confidence at the time, and this remarkable woman took an interest in me. She seemed to think me capable of more than I thought myself, and she helped me imagine loftier academic goals. 

Her photo from the faculty section of that same 1965 yearbook.

I suspect she wrote the same message or similar ones in many yearbooks,
and in each case it was sincere on her part and believed fully by the book's owner.

Her teacher's heart influenced my own approach in my teaching career. It became my goal to make each of my students understand that I truly cared about him/her and was confident that each had aptitudes and talents of value. [Here is a post that touches on how I tried to do that.]

Monte Howell Fricks in 2022.

Today is Monte Howell Fricks' ninety-second birthday. In her honor I share this from her Facebook page. The author is unknown, but the sentiments fit well with what I know of Mrs. Howell. In my opinion most of this advice would be valuable to anyone of either sex.

RULES TO TEACH YOUR DAUGHTER

1. Never shake a man’s hand sitting down.

2. Learn how to cook a signature dish.

3. Spend 30 min a day reading up on current events.

4. In a negotiation, never make the first offer.

5. Request the late check-out.

6. When entrusted with a secret, keep it.

7. Hold your heroes to a higher standard.

8. Return a borrowed car with a full tank of gas.

9. Play with passion or don’t play at all…

10. When shaking hands, grip firmly and look them in the eye.

11. Don’t let a wishbone grow where a backbone should be

12. Who ever you choose to marry...., you marry his/her family / children

13. Be like a duck. Remain calm on the surface and paddle like crazy underneath.

14. Experience the serenity of traveling alone.

15. Never be afraid to talk to the best looking person in the room.

16. Never turn down a breath mint.

17. A classic outfit is worth 1000 words.

18. Try writing your own eulogy. Never stop revising.

19. Thank a veteran.

20. After writing an angry email, read it carefully. Then delete it.

21. Ask your mom to play. She won’t let you win.

22. Manners make the woman.

23. Give credit. Take the blame.

24. Stand up to Bullies. Protect those bullied.

25. Write down your dreams.

26. Add value everywhere you go.

27. Be confident and humble at the same time.

28. If ever in doubt, REMEMBER WHOSE DAUGHTER YOU ARE and REFUSE to just be ordinary!

29. Change the world, don't let it change you.

30. Always be you! Hold your head up high, Be confident whenever you walk into a room and stay strong.

31. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you are less of a person. They have the problem, not you.

32. As your mother, I will ALWAYS have your back.