Miss Smith wanted to be a teacher all her life. She remembered back to 8th grade how her teacher invited the class to discuss what their dream job would be after graduating high school. Miss Smith wanted to be an elementary school teacher. Her goal was to teach, mentor, monitor and be a role model for all her young students. Nine years later Miss Smith found herself in front of a 5th-grade classroom.

Miss Smith, now a 1st-year teacher was both excited and scared as the first day of school started, and she looks out over her classroom of 24 students. She spent her whole summer planning her units, arranging and decorating her room while making sure all her students would be in a thriving environment. Today is a make or break day for her in her mind. Miss Smith knows the importance of building relationships with her students.
During lunch in the teacher’s lounge, Miss Smith heard teachers talking about kids. Miss Smith looked forward to the day she could ask teachers their input on students and strategies to help build their learning. Miss Smith ate her lunch and studied her student's interests that she had gathered earlier.

After a couple of months, Miss Smith felt her classroom was going well. She understood her students and her students understood her. Miss Smith was happy her research-based teaching methods with her learners appeared to be working. Anyone entering Miss Smith’s classroom will immediately know her classroom is learner-centered, stress and barrier-free.

Miss Smith is happy with her classroom however she cannot explain why her administrators have not been in her class for a visit. She was hoping for some instructional feedback. She also noticed teachers coming to school just on time and leaving at exactly exit time. Miss Smith also noticed how they talk about students during lunch and in the halls. It is what she recognized as negative talk. It seems the whole school is involved and they spend a lot of time doing negative talk. Miss Smith realizes quickly she must have all the great kids because according to the rest of the teachers their students are not doing well learning or with their behavior.

Can you finish the story…?