Mother Teresa, humanitarian and hard-working advocate for the poor, visited North America some years ago. As the frail nun disembarked from the airplane in New York City, she was mobbed by reporters. One young man shouted to her, “Mother Teresa! Is it true? It is true? Are you really a saint?” The elderly woman looked up at him and softly responded, “Yes, my son. And so are you.”

Mother Teresa lived her beliefs, and her response to the reporter’s question was not contrived. She sincerely believed in the value and sanctity of every human being. Teachers who love their work live their beliefs in much the same way as Mother Teresa did. When a teacher is convinced that every person has unique strengths, then focusing on a child’s potential is second nature. And it pays big dividends in the young person’s sense of self-worth. Those feelings support the creation of a classroom culture where learning is the first priority. Happy students willingly go the extra mile for their teachers.