Designed with the busy schedules of teachers in mind, this powerful spoken word CD is 28 minutes of straight-forward, life changing affirmations over beautifully uplifting music.

4 MP3 Songs
SPOKEN WORD: With Music, EASY LISTENING: Background Music



Details:
How this project came about . . .

After 10 years in the classroom, I hit rock bottom. I was going to work each day feeling that no matter how much progress my at-risk students made, it wasn't enough. I had become a teacher to make a difference and I was beginning to wonder if I was making a difference at all. After researching the positive effects of affirmations, I began starting each day reading broad, positive statements. I quickly realized I face two problems. First, I didn't have time to read the statements in the morning and second, the statements were not specific to the challenges I faced as a teacher. I knew I needed to solve these problems in order to bring enjoyment back into the classroom, otherwise, I felt I should no longer teach. I was inspired to create affirmations that directly relate to teaching and I recorded them on a cassette tape. After listening to the tape on the way to work, I noticed an immediate change in myself. Each day was a fresh start and when the normal problems came up, instead of looking at the negative, I was looking at the positive aspects of the situation. My students welcomed a more patient, kind, nurturing teacher. When my colleagues noticed the change, I decided to share my secret, and to my surprise, they wanted a copy of their own! The knowledge that others shared not only my distress, but also my desire to make a change empowered me to make a professional CD recording available to others.

This collection of affirmations was my saving grace during my candidacy for National Board Certification. This CD makes the perfect gift for your child's teacher, fellow co-workers in the educational setting, student teachers and veteran teachers. For anyone pursuing National Board Certification, this will be the extra boost you need to keep everything balanced as you go through the certification process.


How do you use the CD?
The CD is 28 minutes in length, consisting of spoken word affirmations over uplifting music. It should be listened to every workday, as part of a routine, most likely while the listener does other things. It can be used as you get dressed, as you drive to work, or listened to in your classroom before students arrive. It does not take away time from your day, but enrich the time you would normally spend on other things.

I am still a classroom teacher and am enjoying my work more every day thanks to the creation of this CD. I hope you will find it equally inspirational for yourself, or the lucky individual for whom you are purchasing it.

The CD has been dedicated to the late Jane (Gowan) Miller. She was an inspirational teacher and friend and is deeply missed. Check out the below article (written by Andy Bates) originally printed in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise from Saranac Lake, NY regarding this CD, and its tribute to Jane.

The following article was printed in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise on Saturday, February 19th, 2005.


In any profession, it's sometimes hard to go to work with a smile, feeling rejuvenated and assured that you¹re making a difference in people's lives.

As a National Board-certified teacher with 10 years of classroom experience, Carrie Chapman knew the feeling all too well, as many teachers do, and decided to emulate one she's never forgotten from her days as a Saranac Lake High School student: the late Jane (Gowan) Miller.

Chapman has produced a CD of motivational sayings entitled "From Burned Out to Fired Up: Affirmations for Educators." It came about as a way to keep teachers feeling rejuvenated each day in the classroom, and to dedicate the project to Miller was a fitting way for Chapman to say thanks to a woman who she said remains a lasting influence in her life.

"There have been so many people from Saranac Lake who have gone on to do great things, but it never occurred to me that I could be one of them," Chapman said. "She helped me realize that, which is why, when this project came about, I immediately thought of her."

"In loving memory of Jane (Gowan) Miller," reads the inside cover of Chapman¹s CD, "a woman who demonstrated strength, compassion and a true appreciation and acceptance of all people as remarkable individuals. To Jane: my teacher, my friend, my inspiration."

Twenty-eight minutes long, the CD's spoken affirmations over music are meant to instill in the listener a sense of acceptance of diversity, collaboration with parents and communities, recognition and acknowledgement of the individual strengths of learners and a sense of appreciation and purpose within educators; all attributes Chapman and others say Miller brought to Saranac Lake High School every day during her 36-year tenure.

"She loved teaching, and that rubbed off on all of us," veteran English and drama teacher Jackie Kalinowski said, adding that Miller was her mentor when she first came to teach in Saranac Lake.

"She was just a real classy lady, a remarkable teacher and very humble," Kalinowski added. "She always walked into the classroom prepared and with a smile on her face."

Chapman said her project, at first, was designed to help herself stay focused during the school day while also going through the national certification process.
"Going through that process is stressful, and there¹s a lot of work," Chapman said. "It was hard to focus on the things I needed to do each day." Chapman said she thought that in many other professions, tools like motivational speakers and incentives are used to help refresh people, but there really aren¹t too many things to help teachers affirm that what they're doing is worthwhile and effective.

In the Las Vegas area, where she teaches, Chapman said that turnover is tremendous, and the need for something to keep teachers motivated and refreshed was glaring.

After creating the CD and receiving input of teachers in her district, she saw its use for all teachers and decided to market it.

Chapman added that substituting any profession for the word "teacher" in the CD's affirmations could produce the same effect.

"I think (Miller) would be very pleased with it and see the need for it" Chapman said.
Chapman also gave a nod to all the teachers in Saranac Lake.

"I attended all of my schooling in Saranac Lake public schools and had no idea of the caliber of education I received until traveling over the past 10 years," Chapman said. "I now know that the teachers in Saranac Lake are phenomenal, and I want to thank them for their hard work."

To purchase a CD or to listen to samples of the spoken affirmations, visit www.cdbaby.com/carrieachapman.com.

By ANDY BATES
Enterprise Staff Writer
SARANAC LAKE, NY

E-mail Andy Bates at abates@adirondackguide.com

**This article has been reprinted with permission.