If I had to rank these five suggestions, this would be suggestion number 1. Don’t ignore the very people who feed you, call a sub on the days you are sick, clean up the throw up in your room, and empty the trash cans. If you choose to ignore them, do not be surprised when your French fries are cold, the secretary can’t find a sub, and the janitor disappears when everyone in your room has the flu. Every veteran teacher knows that these people actually run the school. Make an effort to speak to them. It doesn’t matter if you are busy, so are they. In fact, I would challenge anyone to find a busier person than a top-notch school secretary. Don’t forget them at Christmas. Mark Secretaries' Week on your school calendar.

Many of these suggestions are things that you have to do on your own time. However, as a teacher just completing my 20th year, I can tell you that sacrificing a little time in the summer can really pay off during the school year.