It was the beginning of another school year. I had agreed to teach all struggling students in need of critical intervention(介入). I knew what lay ahead — tough work hours overlaid with guilt, consumed with essays that needed feedback and lesson plans with best practice strategies. No wonder people always acknowledge my teaching career with, “I'm glad it's you and not me.”

Suddenly, my mind transported me to my first few years of teaching.

“Peter Potter,” I called from my name list, trying to control my laughter. “Laughlin McLaughlin？” Surely these were not real names.

“Emotionally disabled... keeps them separated from the other kids...，” the vice headmaster commanded. This was my first teaching assignment.

Surely this year could never be as discouraging as those first few. In my new classroom, I looked into the face of Jason. At eleven, his mother was killed in an accident, leaving him with physical, academic, and certainly emotional scars. I looked at another student, Robert, standing at the door; my vice headmaster asked if I would take him, even though he was an eleventh grader in my tenth grade class.

But then there were — and are — stories of success — of Dustin, in Graduate School for Electrical and Computer Engineering; of Michael, now a teacher in a city school; of Willie... I thought of the thousands of students whose lives have touched mine far more than I could have ever touched theirs.

I broke from my daydream, a smile spreading across my face. Sadness, tears, challenges, fears — yes, teaching is filled with all of these — yet, it is also filled with laughter and smiles, hope, dreams, and rewards beyond measure.

“I'm glad it's you and not me.” Those words resounded in my mind once again.

Your education is very important. 【小题1】 By working on making a good impression each day, you can enjoy a positive relationship with your teacher.

Greet your teacher with a smile. Your teacher likely arrives to work very early each day, perhaps ever before the sun has risen. 【小题2】 Greeting your teacher with a smile and warm regards every morning is a great way to promote your relationship and to improve their day.

【小题3】 Another way to establish a good relationship with your teacher is by being punctual (准时的) to class all the time, always arriving before the bell rings. This will allow your teacher to see you as a reliable person who is respectful of their time.

Never argue with your teacher. Though you may see some of your classmates being disrespectful (不尊敬的) to your teacher, try very hard not to become one of these people. Your teacher has been hired to guide your education and to help you learn important knowledge that will be useful to you in life. Respect this and do not argue with them. 【小题4】

Follow instructions. Your teacher likely has a set of rules that you must obey in class in addition to the regular school rules. 【小题5】 If your teacher feels that you keep yourself out of trouble, they will view you more positively and your relationship will strengthen.

If you have a hard time getting along with your teachers, going to class can be a nightmare (噩梦).So here are some tips to help you build a friendly relationship with almost all the teachers.

Talk to your teachers. In many cases, a short discussion can clear up the entire conflict (冲突). Ask your teachers if it is convenient for you to talk in private.【小题1】 If you appear angry or unhappy in front of them, the conflict is unlikely to be solved.

【小题2】 Teachers have many years of teaching experience in the subjects they teach. So discussing the best ways to succeed in the classroom may give you the opportunity to see the best instructors.

Learn to understand their teaching methods.【小题3】 If you are used to a very relaxing class, learning to be successful in a strict environment is difficult and vice versa (反之亦然). In most cases, it is necessary to give yourself some time to get used to a new teaching method.

Ask about your teachers’ hobbies. If you know about one of their hobbies, you can talk about it with them. And you can try to find if you have something in common.【小题4】

Learn why your teachers choose to teach. Approach the teachers at an appropriate (适当的) time before or after class, not during class. Consider saying something like, “I’ve always wondered why people become teachers.【小题5】 Why did you decide to teach?”