Stressed Children 'Relaxed And Encouraged' During Exams By Teacher's Graffiti Desks | HuffPost Life

'Remember, there is no elevator to success, you must take the stairs.'

By

Life editor at HuffPost UK

Children were encouraged to relax during their end of year exams thanks to a teacher who personalised their desks in a wonderful way.

Chandni Langford, from Woodbury Public School in New Jersey, America, wanted to "inspire" her students who were feeling the pressure of their upcoming tests.

The kids, who are in fifth grade (aged 10-11), walked into their classroom to see quotes graffitied on their desk.

"To motivate her 5th grade kids, Mrs. Langford prepared inspirational, growth-mindset messages for every one of her students," the school district wrote when sharing photos of the classroom on Facebook.

"Each personalised note was written in dry erase marker on students’ desks so they could be cleaned up."

Langford, who said she wanted to "relax and encourage" the kids, used the hashtag #growthmindset and signed each desk from "your teachers".

"Remember, there is no elevator to success, you must take the stairs! You got this!" one of the quotes read.

Another desk had a quote that read: "Learning is your superpower! Remember, never stop trying and never stop growing your brain."

The photos, posted on Facebook by Woodbury City Public Schools on Tuesday 2 May, were shared nearly 19,000 times in nine days.

Thousands of people have praised Langford for her inspirational approach to teaching.

"Mrs. Langford, this is brilliant," one person commented on the photo album.

"What a way to motivate your students. Why weren't you my teacher? I love you for this. You deserve an award and more teachers should model this approach."

Another person wrote: "This was just what the students needed to get through such a stressful moment.

"Kudos to you for reaching each one of your students in such a creative way. I hope your students do an excellent job on their test."

Before You Go

100 Ways To De-Stress

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Write your worries down in a journal. (credit:hey! My name is Fucchon~ I love photography so much. via Getty Images)

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Peel an orange. Studies show the smell of citrus can help reduce stress. (credit:Maciej Toporowicz, NYC via Getty Images)

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Read a book for six minutes. (credit:Oleh Slobodeniuk via Getty Images)

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Eat an avocado. The monounsaturated fats and potassium in the superfood can lower blood pressure. (credit:Patrick Llewelyn-Davies via Getty Images)

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Take a walk in green space. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Hang out with your BFF. (credit:Michael Kovac via Getty Images)

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Spend a few minutes focusing on your breath. (credit:Tim Kitchen via Getty Images)

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Take a power nap. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Bring your dog to work. Research suggests having Fido in the office can lower stress levels throughout the day. (credit:Bernard Weil via Getty Images)

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Listen to Mozart. (credit:Imagno via Getty Images)

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Try some aromatherapy. One 2009 study found it's an effective stress-relief technique, especially for high school students. (credit:Media for Medical via Getty Images)

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Let out a laugh. (credit:Tara Moore via Getty Images)

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Get a massage. (credit:Glenn Asakawa via Getty Images)

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Give someone a big hug. (credit:The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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Belt it out at karaoke... (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)

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...Or sing in your church choir. (credit:George Frey via Getty Images)

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Do a small project or craft. (credit:Cavan Images via Getty Images)

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Take up knitting. Research shows the activity puts your brain in a state of flow similar to the one achieved through meditation. (credit:Loic Lagarde via Getty Images)

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Speaking of which, try a little mindfulness meditation. (credit:Peathegee Inc via Getty Images)

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Have sex. (credit:Alexander Nicholson via Getty Images)

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Unsubscribe from all of those promotional emails. (credit:HuffPost)

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Kiss a loved one. (credit:Blend Images - Jose Luis Pelaez Inc via Getty Images)

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Do a progressive muscle relaxation exercise. (credit:Jetta Productions/David Atkinson via Getty Images)

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Try the "chocolate meditation" technique. This allows you to fully savor the sweet treat. Instructions here. (credit:altrendo images via Getty Images)

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Take an email vacation. (Bonus: It also makes you more productive.) (credit:HuffPost)

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Forgive someone. (credit:PeopleImages.com via Getty Images)

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Think about something you're grateful for. (credit:Kohei Hara via Getty Images)

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Exercise. Research shows it helps boost the body's ability to handle stress. (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)

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Be mindful of how you deal with frustration during an argument. (credit:anzeletti via Getty Images)

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Drink black tea. (credit:A Girl With Tea/Flickr)

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Power down that smartphone for a few minutes. (credit:HuffPost)

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Walk the walk. Research shows if you carry yourself like a happy person, you'll feel happier, too. (credit:Lars Plougmann/Flickr)

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Drink some orange juice. (credit:mhaithaca/Flickr)

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Chew gum. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Reflect on what (and who) is important in your life. (credit:Jamie Grill via Getty Images)

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Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Bring on the salmon! (credit:Hanataro/Flickr)

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Tap into your religious beliefs. (credit:Allen Donikowski via Getty Images)

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Look into a less stressful job. (credit:Compassionate Eye Foundation/Hiep Vu via Getty Images)

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Live in Salt Lake City (or just take a visit). It was named the least-stressed city in the country in 2014. (credit:David Crowther via Getty Images)

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Walk or bike to work. (credit:Smart Trips/Flickr)

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Listen to soothing nature sounds. (credit:Alan Vernon./Flickr)

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Eat a bowl of oatmeal. (credit:Keith Beaty via Getty Images)

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Give acupuncture a try. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Flash a smile at someone. (credit:iPandastudio via Getty Images)

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Do some guided imagery exercises. (credit:Paul Vozdic via Getty Images)

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Get a plant for your house or your desk. (credit:r4n/Flickr)

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Let yourself have a good cry. (credit:sudo takeshi via Getty Images)

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Eat some dark chocolate. (credit:Stephen Cummings/Flickr)

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Get in touch with your inner yogi. Try one these yoga poses, specifically geared toward reducing anxiety. (credit:GO INTERACTIVE WELLNESS/Flickr)

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Say no. You can do anything, but not everything. (credit:Thomas Barwick via Getty Images)

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Have an orgasm. (credit:Noviembre Anita Vela via Getty Images)

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Take a laughter yoga class. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Think positive thoughts. (credit:Jamie Grill via Getty Images)

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Dance it out. Not only does it reduce stress, it can also boost your memory. (credit:JEWEL SAMAD via Getty Images)

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Take a warm bath. (credit:www.metaphoricalplatypus.com/Flickr)

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Surround yourself with the scent of pine... (credit:lars hammar/Flickr)

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...Or the aroma of vanilla. (credit:djwtwo/Flickr)

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Float in water. (credit:Taylor Weidman via Getty Images)

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Sleep. Not only is it crucial to zapping stress, it's key to your daily happiness. "When we're exhausted, we drag ourselves through the day instead of enjoying the day," HuffPost president and editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington once said. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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De-clutter your home or your desk. (credit:Jonathan Kitchen via Getty Images)

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Become a morning person. (Or at least embrace the morning.) (credit:keepps/Flickr)

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Spend time around horses. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Focus on one task at a time. (credit:HuffPost)

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Pay attention to your surroundings. (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)

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If you're a smoker, quit. (credit:Sweet One/Flickr)

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Watch 3-D videos of trees. (Really!) (credit:Paper Boat Creative via Getty Images)

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Go to the beach. (credit:dicau58/Flickr)

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Distance yourself from stressful people in your life. (credit:Blend Images - Peathegee Inc via Getty Images)

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Repeat a positive affirmation. Looking for a few examples? Try these. (credit:Asia Images via Getty Images)

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Choose not to wait in line. (credit:JGI/Jamie Grill via Getty Images)

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Spend time with the person you're in love with. (credit:Raphye Alexius via Getty Images)

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Drink a cup of green tea. (credit:Kirinohana/Flickr)

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Feel free to ignore your boss while you're on vacation. (credit:Sam Edwards via Getty Images)

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Embrace aging. (credit:Javier Encinas via Getty Images)

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Try a "mood monitoring" exercise. Find tips on how to do it here. (credit:Simon Gerzina Photography via Getty Images)

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Take a break from social media. (credit:HuffPost)

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Use a little foul language (in the right company). (credit:JPM via Getty Images)

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Share a meal with a friend. (credit:HuffPost)

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Let out a deep sigh... (credit:christian.plochacki via Getty Images)

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...Or a primal scream. (credit:Ben Richardson via Getty Images)

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Make a silly face. (credit:JTSiemer via Getty Images)

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Close your eyes, even for just a few moments. (But don't do it while you're driving.) (credit:Eveline Kooijman via Getty Images)

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Brush your hair. (credit:Alexandra Wyman/Invision/AP)

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Do something nice for someone else. Good karma and less stress? Win. (credit:Ascent Xmedia via Getty Images)

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Give yourself some quiet time. (credit:Westend61 - Hans Huber via Getty Images)

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Write your thoughts on a piece of paper, then physically throw them out. (credit:Tetra Images via Getty Images)

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Stare at the color blue. (credit:thor_mark ï£¿/Flickr)

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Look at old photographs. (credit:Vasiliki Varvaki via Getty Images)

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Set "stress boundaries." If someone -- or something -- is starting to stress you out, step away from the situation. (credit:Martin Barraud via Getty Images)

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Go for a run. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Color a picture. This activity isn't just for kids! (credit:Scott Gries/Invision/AP)

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Pet your dog or cat. (credit:Richard W. Rodriguez/Invision/AP)

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Look out the window. (credit:AlishaV/Flickr)

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Try a de-stressing app. Programs like Headspace, Calm and our own GPS for the Soul are designed to reduce stress.

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Use your imagination and look at your life like scenes in a movie. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Count to 10, then count backward. (credit:DesignSensation via Getty Images)

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Spend a little time in the sun. (Just wear your SPF!) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Take a lunch break away from your desk. (credit:Judith Haeusler via Getty Images)

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If your stress becomes unmanageable or overwhelming, consider seeing a therapist. (credit:Blend Images - Ned Frisk via Getty Images)

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