Read a biography of Joe Martin at the bottom of this page.
First Things First on the First Day of School
Do you think you can show students how learning reading, writing, math, science -- whatever skills you teach -- can help them achieve some of their goals and relieve some of their stress? Hey, it’s worth a shot.
Who Said You Have to Change?
“There’s nothing wrong with making mistakes; the problem is when we fail to correct those mistakes based on stubbornness, ignorance, fear, pride, or even anger. Whenever I find myself guilty of that, I describe it as being ‘stuck on stupid.’”
Medicate to Educate
“What do I tell those teachers who ask me for my secret to staying motivated in the classroom? I tell them to ‘get medicated.’ But what I’m referring to isn’t a prescription; it’s more of a philosophy. It’s the secret weapon I like to call ‘the medicine cabinet.’”
A Little Change Will Do You Good!
“I believe we have three choices when it comes to responding to change: we either can get up (do something about it and learn from it), give up (throw in the towel), or shut up (accept it for what it is).”
What Are You Paying Attention To?
“I tell my friends when they question my sanity (which is quite often) concerning teaching and my ability to maintain a positive attitude, ‘I have a simple choice: I either can focus on whining about teaching or I can focus on winning as a teacher.’”
Imitate to Motivate
“Think back and remember your favorite teacher. Reflect on everything about that teacher that made you admire and respect him or her. Now, I want you to pretend to be your favorite teacher for at least one week this month.”
More Who, Less What
”One of best lessons I learned in my early years of teaching was to focus on WHO we teach, not just on WHAT we teach. Now, don’t get me wrong. WHAT we teach is vitally important to our students’ success, as well as our school’s success. But sacrificing the WHO for the WHAT is just plain criminal.”
Raise Your Standards
“We as teachers already face enough negativity from the public and media without having to worry about dissention and tension within our own ranks. This month, therefore, I’m asking you to ‘raise your standards’ when it comes to your colleagues.”
I Owe, You Owe, We Owe
“My question to you this month is, ‘How much do you owe your favorite teacher?’ If your favorite teacher was anything like mine, I’m sure he or she would say, ‘Just pay your students what you think you owe me.’"
Teach Like Every Day Is Christmas
“The night before every new school year, I get to be a child again by re-living Christmas Eve. Because when I arrive on the first day of school, I have approximately 25 to 30 gifts waiting to be opened. And they’re ALL mine.”
About the Author
Professor Joe Martin is an award-winning educator, trainer, and author of several books, including Good Teachers Never Quit, When Students Just Won’t Listen, and Tricks of the Grade. Regarded as “America’s Top Educator Motivator," he speaks, trains, and consults with more than 50 school districts a year in the area of teacher retention and student motivation/behavior issues. Joe supports teachers through his family of Web sites at NewTeacherUniversity, RealWorld University, and Teacher Pay Raise. Click here to read his complete bio.
Professor Joe Martin is an award-winning educator, trainer, and author of several books, including Good Teachers Never Quit, When Students Just Won’t Listen, and Tricks of the Grade. Regarded as “America’s Top Educator Motivator," he speaks, trains, and consults with more than 50 school districts a year in the area of teacher retention and student motivation/behavior issues. Joe supports teachers through his family of Web sites at 
