How to Have a Successful School Year

In response to:  "Two Simple Secrets to a Successful School Year"
http://www.teachhub.com/news/article/cat/14/item/736

In Kim Oliver's blog post on how to have a successful school year she discusses two key necessities that every successful classroom needs.  First, Oliver shares that building a relationship with your students is the most important thing a teacher can do to create the setting for a successful school year.  Students want to do their best work for the teachers that they like and respect.  Secondly, Oliver says that teachers need to set the bar high when it comes to expectations.  In order for students to reach high to meet those expectations a teacher needs to ensure that their classroom is a safe place for the students to be.  Teachers need to focus on being themselves because students are good at seeing right through a teacher who is trying to be someone that they are not.  Kids love it when teachers are themselves and happy in the classroom!