I am fortunate to work with many teachers who are passionate about their jobs and the students they teach. We know that it’s not always easy, but takes a lot of energy and patience.
The key to being an inspirational teacher is classroom climate and creating connections with students. A climate of mutual respect allows students to be thinkers, learners, and risk-takers. I believe this is key in a classroom: to spend time to make connections with students, form relationships where they can trust you and know that you truly do believe in them and know they can succeed.
Some recent resources that I have been recommending and using with our teachers are:
Inspirational Teacher by Gary McGuey and Lonnie Moore is a great resource for all teachers. It focuses on creating teacher/classroom missions then key components which include modeling, respecting, listening, and relationship building. I also loved the quotes and letters included that give this book a very personal touch. The main lesson: teachers have a huge impact on their students, sometimes we don’t realize how big of an impact.
Teaching Outside the box: grabbing your students by the brain by LouAnne Johnson 
is an amazing book that also has a clear message: good teaching begins and ends with relationships and letting our students know that we have faith in them. This book gives great, candid advice and real, practical ideas for working with sometimes difficult to reach kids. If you are not inspired after reading this book, you probably need to find another profession.
Inspiring Teachers is a great website for beginning, substitute, student, new, and veteran teachers. They also have a newsletter that has timely articles throughout the school year.
These resources help us see that we are not a lone. Others feel the same way as us and are dedicated to making sure all our students succeed. By reading books and websites like the three above, and networking with my PLN, I feel refreshed and ready every day to be the best teacher I can be.
How do you continue to be inspiring every day?
Totally agree – relationships and connectedness is the key and I just love it when you know the kids feel safe and willing to take chances – extra-ordinary things can then happen. Love your blog – thanks for sharing.