What do you do when a quiet student with low self-confidence finally raises their hand and answers a question you’ve asked the class ... and they’re wrong? I answer them the exact way I do when a student becomes extremely angry and starts voicing their frustrations. I use two small words that make a big impact—thank you.

"Thank you" is the best fire extinguisher in the classroom. It’s the one phrase that can calm someone down, build someone back up and make them feel important. Read more from Carol Woodard of Change is the new black.