I’ve helped many people learn how to read. One of the biggest factors, that is not often discussed, is the energy behind the tutor or teacher. A positive teacher can make or break the difference in a child’s success. Oprah often refers to the importance of the energy we have behind every action we take. True presence, in every situation, helps students learn and grow.

On the flip side, if a teacher has a negative presence, that will greatly affect children, in an adverse way. When studies of effective teachers are done, there is no real difference in students success when you look at the education level of the teacher. Steve Jobs, I believe, has been a proponent of not giving an extra stipend to teachers who have higher degrees than a teaching credential.

This is met with much criticism in the world of teaching unions and teachers, and at first I was surprised too. However, the more work I do in the area of self-improvement, the more this makes sense. If a teacher with a doctorate has negative energy, that negative energy will “win” over the extra education.

Students are like magnets. They pick up the difference in the energy level of teachers very quickly. When a teacher has a motivational and inspirational attitude, and an attitude that anybody can learn anything, those students will pick up on that energy. Conversely, if a teacher has a negative attitude, students will pick up on that as well, and not try as hard.

Here’s the thing. In a negative atmosphere, our brains stop seeking options. When our brain stops seeking options, it starts to shut down. In a brain that is shut down, new neural networks are not being built. Hence, learning is greatly impaired in classrooms where there is a strong negative influence.

The world of education is shifting. I predict that test scores alone will not continue to pose such a strong effect on our education system, because there are many people like me, who see the effects of positivity versus negativity in classrooms across the world. If we truly desire change, we will advocate and support teachers who have a positive mental state of mind. This can either start at the top of the chain (President Obama, this is you!) to every parent and classroom teacher that has a vested interest in the education of our children.

We have intelligence beyond our imagination, and it’s time that that intelligence start being noticed in our educational system!