As a teacher at a public school in the Lakewood, California area, as well as a teaching for Allison Tutoring of Lakewood, California, I have experienced firsthand the importance of encouragement to my students. Positive encouragement affects their mood, their self-esteem, their interaction with peers and everyday situations in the classroom. It’s hard to think that MY few words of positive encouragement at school may be the only time they hear it. Every little bit helps.