Never smile before Christmas.....

A teacher and fellow high school friend of mine told me on my first day as a teacher......."Never smile at the students before Christmas!"  I asked him why and he said that it showed weakness and they would devour me by the weeks end.  He also told me that it would take me three years to stop looking for a new job and a doctor to prescribe a nerve pill.  This has been my third year and I haven't resorted to any of his advice.  I found a better way to deal with the little darlings when things get to me, I sing you are my sunshine.  If that doesn't help, singing Amazing Grace always works for me.  My advice to my replacement would be to remember that they are just kids......older kids.  Show them kindness and speak to them the way that you would want to be spoken to and they will listen, learn and respect you for it.  Remember, don't show favorites, don't give in to their big puppy eyes and never trust them to..."be right back with a hall pass!"