Jackie Lynch has always known, through her many years working in education in various roles, that the main ingredient for success in the classroom derives from the positive and supportive relationships school staff build with students. Students work for teachers who they know they can trust and who care about them. New learning often involves taking risks and students need to know that when they take that risk, raise their hand, or ask for clarification, the response will be supportive, specific and encouraging. Jackie has had great success working in largely urban, Title 1 schools, as she takes to heart the concept coined by Carl Rogers, of “Unconditional Positive Regard”. Despite the daily challenges of high needs schools she is able to start each and every day with a fresh slate. This UPR is the basis for all learning and guidance which takes place each and every day and tells students that it is safe to take risks, that regardless of a tough day yesterday, today is a new day. “I believe in you. Your behaviors weren’t the greatest yesterday, but I care about you as a student/person and will help guide you to make better choices today”. Jackie knows that not all students come ready to learn or with the basic skills needed for school success but this can be taught so that students are set up for success, rather than failure. We go into teaching because we care about kids, want to shape young lives and make an impact on the next generation. As challenges mount in the classroom we can lose sight of the “Why” of teaching. Finding the “Why” again, for the students, and having the mindset and evidence-based tools for success, benefit all stakeholders. Love what you do again and students will love your class!