Teacher’s “First Rule” Inspires Students, Prompts Book
When Jerry Toups, Jr., inked the first rule of his classroom, “Always Believe in Yourself,” nearly 30 years ago, he had no idea the simple phrase would inspire a book, an award-winning video not to mention the lives of countless students.
Toups, who has taught math since graduating from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health
Education and a minor in math in 1990, says it was his first teaching challenge that inspired the classroom rule, “Always Believe in Yourself.”
When I started teaching in 1990 at Killeen High School, my mentor teacher asked me to write down my classroom rules,” said Toups. “I was teaching consumer math to eleventh graders, most of whom have seldom if ever passed a math class. I thought I need to do something to encourage these kids to ‘believe’ they can succeed in math.”
Since that time, the statement has been an inspiration to not only Toups’ students but the community and to him personally.
In 1992, Dayton ISD hired Toups as the athletic director and algebra teacher. He and his “classroom rule” began inspiring students in the classroom and on the ball field. “I took it upon myself to start photographing and videoing the Dayton Bronco Friday Night Lights. It was during Friday Night Lights that ‘always believe’ captivated and inspired the entire community of Dayton.”
Toups spent 20 years in the Dayton ISD and was named “Teacher of the Year at Woodrow Wilson High School in 2001.
Currently, Toups is teaching algebra and geometry at George Ranch High School in Rosenberg, part of Lamar ISD, where he says his “believe,” #alwaysbelieve on social media, mantra has had a huge impact.
During his 30-year career, Toups taught at five schools, always encouraging students to “believe.”
“I was hired, and, in the fall of 2015, ‘Always Believe’ helped inspire the students to a 16-0 state football championship,” said Toups.
That inspiration was captured on video. A George Ranch High School student created a documentary about Toups’ first rule. The video, available on youtube, won second place in the State of Texas UIL competition.
Toups says the impact of his classroom rule inspired him to write a book. “The Story of Always Believe,” is now available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
“My goal as an educator is to start public speaking about my first rule and to inspire other educators to use ‘Always Believe in Yourself’ as their first rule,” said Toups. “I have personally witnessed the power of my first rule impact the students I have taught and even my community.”
Toups’ book has more than 800 inspired statements he has collected over the years. He says the first one published in the book really sums up his life: To succeed is one thing but to make others become better through your successes is what every successful person should strive for.
“Somehow, someway the good Lord wanted me to be a math teacher,” said Toups. “My career has been so blessed, and the educators at Lamar had a great influence on me and helped me become who I am today.”
Toups, who has taught math since graduating from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health
Education and a minor in math in 1990, says it was his first teaching challenge that inspired the classroom rule, “Always Believe in Yourself.” When I started teaching in 1990 at Killeen High School, my mentor teacher asked me to write down my classroom rules,” said Toups. “I was teaching consumer math to eleventh graders, most of whom have seldom if ever passed a math class. I thought I need to do something to encourage these kids to ‘believe’ they can succeed in math.”
Since that time, the statement has been an inspiration to not only Toups’ students but the community and to him personally.
In 1992, Dayton ISD hired Toups as the athletic director and algebra teacher. He and his “classroom rule” began inspiring students in the classroom and on the ball field. “I took it upon myself to start photographing and videoing the Dayton Bronco Friday Night Lights. It was during Friday Night Lights that ‘always believe’ captivated and inspired the entire community of Dayton.”
Toups spent 20 years in the Dayton ISD and was named “Teacher of the Year at Woodrow Wilson High School in 2001.
Currently, Toups is teaching algebra and geometry at George Ranch High School in Rosenberg, part of Lamar ISD, where he says his “believe,” #alwaysbelieve on social media, mantra has had a huge impact.
During his 30-year career, Toups taught at five schools, always encouraging students to “believe.”
“I was hired, and, in the fall of 2015, ‘Always Believe’ helped inspire the students to a 16-0 state football championship,” said Toups.
That inspiration was captured on video. A George Ranch High School student created a documentary about Toups’ first rule. The video, available on youtube, won second place in the State of Texas UIL competition.
Toups says the impact of his classroom rule inspired him to write a book. “The Story of Always Believe,” is now available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
“My goal as an educator is to start public speaking about my first rule and to inspire other educators to use ‘Always Believe in Yourself’ as their first rule,” said Toups. “I have personally witnessed the power of my first rule impact the students I have taught and even my community.”
Toups’ book has more than 800 inspired statements he has collected over the years. He says the first one published in the book really sums up his life: To succeed is one thing but to make others become better through your successes is what every successful person should strive for.
“Somehow, someway the good Lord wanted me to be a math teacher,” said Toups. “My career has been so blessed, and the educators at Lamar had a great influence on me and helped me become who I am today.”
Posted on Mon, April 22, 2019 by Shelly Vitanza
