From Your Pet's Perception

Both of our daughters have brought cats home to live with us without speaking to Dad first. Their theory is that it is easier to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission.  “BB” (named after BB King) was in our house a week before I even knew it; demonstrating my attention to detail in our home.  Uzi showed up as a team effort between Amanda andMary.  He is not named after a weapon, but rather a character from the Bible meaning a “strong and brave leader”.  Funny, he is neither strong, a leader, and is perhaps the biggest wuss I have ever seen.  Ellie made it up to Da Region from Terre Haute where Annie rescued her on a cold and rainy night at her apartment door.  All of my girls, including the one I married, are totally in love with their felines. I enjoy them as much as I do hair loss.   I am sure that from the perspective of the cats, that the girls walk on water and they love them unconditionally.  They do not feel the same about me…let’s just say that we tolerate each other…sort of.  Anyway, think about your own pet for a moment.  Does your pet greet you at the door when you get home with their tail wagging?  Do they love you unconditionally?  Do they slobber all over you?  Do they forgive you quickly after they have been disciplined for various transgressions in your home? That’s their perception… go deeper – are you the person your pet thinks you are? 

We can fool our pets.  We can’t fool our kids.  They have perceptions about all of us.  Some are way off, others are spot on. Think, for a moment, about the teachers you had when you were a student.  Did any of them fool you?  Were your perceptions about them right on the money?  A few weeks ago, we all had a chance to make a first impression on the kids in our classrooms.  How did that go for you?  Also, a few weeks back, we all had the chance to make a first impression on the parents of these same kids during our “Meet the Teachers Night”.  How did that go for you?  If both of these went well, I want to encourage you to continue to build that relationship.  Understand the interests and backgrounds of your students.  That will take an investment of time.  Exhibit behaviors that indicate your interest in the success of your students.  Stay in regular contact with parents.  Call them to praise their child.  Get them on your team.  If the first impression didn’t go well, do not lose hope. You can turn that around, BUT, it will take a sustained daily effort to change that perception.  Someone once said that perception is reality.  I’m not sure if I totally agree with that, but I do know that perceptions can be changed over time with our ACTIONS.  Words just won’t do it. 

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The Browns play on Sunday was the Baltimore Ratbirds…I mean Ravens.  As much love here as I have for the cats!