Teachers are called on and expected to take action everyday. We are called to teach, parent and even counsel children. We are expected to hold students to high standards, ensure that the learning process is taking place, manage a classroom, plan and prepare lessons, and also keep up with the daily housekeeping procedures of running a successful classroom. There are many reasons that teachers cannot propel themselves to take action. There are issues of enough time during the day, liability and even backlash from other colleagues. Many teachers feel that most teachers are afraid and tired of things changing.

            Chapter One of Dr. Jeffers book, Feel the Fear and do it Anyway, says, ‘I’ll handle it’ on the cover page. For most teachers, this has to be their motto. For every situation, every lesson, every student and every piece of paper that enters a teacher’s classroom, ‘I’ll handle it’ has to be the first thing said! Dr. Jeffers discusses how her first classes always start. The students are nervous to talk at first and after they all realize that they are in the same boat, they begin to feel a bond with each other. Many schools do get to the process with their teachers and many do not. If only all teachers would open and work together, the job of teaching and the process of teaching would work so well! Ellen Moir writes an article that address much of these same issues. She answers questions that teachers have, many times new teachers and deals with these same issues. She strives to keep teachers focused on the important issues for teachers and states how important it is for teachers to find a system of support in their school, (Moir, 2007).

            In chapter three of Dr. Jeffers book, she discusses prioritizing events in life. Many people do not know how to say no and this is such an important thing to do, especially when teaching. You really have to focus on the important issues and learn how to not fret over every detail. If you have a busy schedule and need to prepare for teaching, it is okay to tell people that you can’t do something. Being prepared in the classroom should take priority. So many teachers, especially beginning teachers, become so bogged down with paperwork tasks that they loose sight of the focus of the classroom.             Also, in chapter three, Dr. Jeffers discusses a pain to power chart. Jeffers suggests placing a pin in the chart to determine where you are in terms of being in control of certain situations. She says that awareness is half of the battle. I feel that this chart can be applied to effective teachers vs. ineffective teachers. Teachers that stay in the top half of the chart are more likely to be effective teachers. Those that stay in the bottom half of the chart are more likely to be ineffective teachers that blame others and take no responsibility for their actions in the classroom, This pain to power chart from Jeffers can also help teachers to continually reflect on their classroom practices.            Teachers have so many different roles throughout the day and encounter many different students with many different learning styles that it becomes very difficult to manage time. Many teachers want to do more but school day time restraints become an issue. There are also teacher liability issues with school systems.

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