Watching Us Work.

The article discusses the importance of teachers showing students how to be good workers by demonstrating good work habits themselves, expecting hard work and academic achievement from their students, and by encouraging them to imagine themselves as working adults. The author describes a third grade teacher in an urban school who encouraged her students by respecting them, setting high standards for them, and helping them plan career and educational paths to the jobs they want. She claims that encouraging students to think about the future will motivate them to prepare for careers and college, contribute to society, and find academic and career opportunities.