"To encourage means to give courage."

  "To encourage means to give courage", is the first line from the 'acknowledgments' of the book Curriculum 21, edited by Heidi Hayes Jacobs. Heidi begins with this line as a way to thank the authors who contributed to the book, but I love the line for the layers of meaning it has for all of us.
    To many of us, it represents what teachers do. Teachers encourage students and in doing so give courage to students - they develop skills, knowledge, and appreciation.
   To education consultants the line also applies to the work they do with teachers. Consultants want to encourage teachers and give them courage to try newly developed classroom techniques and teaching strategies that reach more students and engage more students.
   As teachers get ready to start the school year I would encourage you to be more courageous.