Ron Clark- The Excellent 11 - Chapter 10 Appreciation

Chapter 10: Appreciation

In this chapter, Clark stresses the importance of teaching students appreciation and showing students that you appreciate them. We live in a day and age where skills like appreciation are not always taught at home, and sometimes never learned. What Clark attempts to do in all his work, is to equip his students with the skills they need to succeed in life. Teaching appreciation is just another way that Clark is equipping and preparing his students.

Clark writes, " At school I talk with the students about how important it is to go out of your way to show appreciation to those who help you. I point out how the custodians are working hard every day to make the school the best possible environment for them to learn in. In order to thank them, I have the students bring in drinks, chips, and covered dishes from home, and at lunchtime we spread tablecloths on the desks, set out the food, turn down the lights, put on some soft music, and hang a banner that reads, "We appreciate you'." (207) I was lucky to be raised by a mother and father who really paid attention to manners and enforced displaying gratitude. I remember as a child dreading handwriting thank you notes. But now, as an Adult, I realize how and why they were so important. My grandmother is very ill and when we went to go visit her over fall break, she told me how much it means to hear that I write her letters and thank you notes all the time. Out of her 20 grandchildren, she said only 5 of them write her thanks you notes. I really was shocked to hear that she didn't get thanks from her other grand children, because to me, it was second nature. But what I have realized is that sometimes appreciation skills and displayments of gratitude are not taught to children. I think that Clark is really helping out his students in the long run. By giving them these skills, they will succeed and be better for it in the future.

In the next section, Clark talks about appreciation for teachers and all the work they do. In order to teach, you must have passion and drive, because often times it's a thankless job. Teachers don't see their thanks in their paychecks and often times don't hear it through the mouths of their students. Clark talks about how many teachers leave the profession because they don't receive any thanks or appreciation at all. I think the hardest thing about going into teaching is knowing that it will be a relatively thankless job. Teachers put the hear, soul and lives into their students, only to loose them a year later. It's important to recognize teachers for the great things they do, are doing and will continue to do.

Clark also talks about the importance for teachers to show appreciation to the administration. When teachers and administrative staff work well together, it helps to make a more streamlined and cohesive unit in the school system. Teachers need to go out of their way to work with the administration to make school a better place. Clark talks about avoiding negativity and trying to look at things in a positive and uplifting light. It's amazing how much better you feel when you start to look at the glass half full rather than half empty. Positive attitudes spread and can lift the moral of a school and district. Clark also talks about being apart of a solution rather than the problem. He writes, "When the students aren't motivated there are weak teachers, or the school's test scores are low, it is always easy to place the blame on the administration. The best way to help the situation0, however, is to ask yourself what you can do to make improvements and have a positive impact on the school. It might involve tutoring after school, sharing lesson plans with other teachers, or finding various ways to improve the school environment, but no matter what way teachers contribute, it's all about taking ownership for the condition of the school instead of placing the blame on others." (220)

I think that this chapter was very insightful and made me think about how to show appreciation to all the people who help us in our lives. A simple thanks or a card can really reinforce and positively lift up individuals for the hard work they do. I think that this chapter was another great look into the life skills that Clark strives to instill in his students.