Faith like a...

How would you finish that statement? Child? Mustard seed? It has been completed many different ways over the years.  Sunday, I worshipped in a church that has a thriving ministry for adults with special needs.  Those who most of society has cast aside.  Those that make many stare, cringe, or change seats in a movie theater.  Here, they are welcomed, embraced, & encouraged.  They sit among the rest of the congregation as one united body of believers...no judgement, no running away.  One man in particular caught my eye this week.  He sat on the very front row...you know, the one that most of us avoid like the plague. As praise songs were sung, he clapped and danced and smiled and sang wholeheartedly.  Some might consider that a distraction...inappropriate for Sunday morning worship.  I found it humbling.  His faith is so genuine and pure that he cannot keep still...it pours out of him without shame or concern of what others might think.  How freeing! I want THAT faith.

Real.Absolute.Joyous.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

This week in Room 34 we learned about respect.  Respecting our school.  Respecting adults.  Respecting our freedoms. Respecting each other. Respecting "the process."  Respecting our leaders.  From the first minute election results started coming in, the news feed on my "social media page of choice" began to explode with comments from all sides. Some were simple reactions to the way things work...electoral college vs popular vote, types of ballots, recounts, etc. Others were comments about the candidates themselves...I hope my candidate wins, I hope the other candidate loses, I don't care for either candidate, etc.  Then, the winner was called, the concession speech was given...and people got nasty.  I went to bed. I have no interest in mean-spirited comments. The next morning I got up, looked up the most recent/final results, and went to work.  My students have been studying both candidates, making their own decisions about who they felt was the better choice, and some got to vote for the very first time. Those who voted for the winning candidate were ecstatic.  Those who voted for the losing candidate were devastated. These are normal reactions.  Both candidates couldn't come out winners.  We had discussed for weeks that this would be an extremely close election, and that it truthfully could go either way.  Those who were "victorious" calmed down and were gracious.  Those who were "defeated" took a deep breath and began talking about how everything starts over again in four years.  I encouraged all of them to take pride in their vote...no matter the candidate...and to not become so discouraged that they stop participating in "the process."  They were mature and honest and respectful...and I was extremely proud.  My younger students...those who are not old enough to vote, those who did not spend as much time learning about both sides, those who are affected by but not responsible for the outcome of the election...were a different story.  The things that they were saying to each other...the comments made about the President, the comments made about Gov. Romney, the comments made about the outcome of the election...were the opposite of respectful.  So...we had a chat.  We learned that one of the many beauties of voting by secret ballot is that...it's a secret.  You do not have to tell anyone who got your vote.  Your vote can be as personal and private as you wish it to be.  We learned that it is always important to be gracious...whether you win or lose.  We learned that the office of President is an important one...and even if you do not care for the candidate chosen to fill it you MUST respect the office itself.  We learned that hate in the form of words is the worst kind of hate...because you can never take your words back...words are forever.  We learned that if you don't like something and you want it changed, there are ways to respectfully request that change...you may not always get what you ask for, but you can be proud you went about asking for it the right way.  When my room was empty, and those conversations were over, I asked myself these questions: Where do children learn disrespect? Where do children learn hate? What kind of example are we setting for the young people in our lives?  Do we, as adults, realize that those children for whom we are so incredibly responsible are the future leaders of our nation?  Do we, as adults, realize that the hate, disrespect, and negativity that we are modeling for those young people will be forever burned in their minds as the "right" way to approach things? What will that mean for our country in 10, 15, 20 years time?  Do we want to be forever known as a nation that handles disagreements, conflict, and challenges with hateful, disrespectful words and actions?  What can I do to prepare our future generations for leadership?

The responsibility is great.

Brushing off the Cobwebs

It's been quite a while since I posted. I thought I would get myself back in the saddle and share some of what is on my mind lately. 

I love teaching.  I love teaching what matters.  I love teaching kids how to use their words instead of their fists. I love teaching kids how to take the brilliant things inside their minds (yes...there are brilliant teenagers all around us) and put them into action.  I love teaching kids to examine all sides of a situation before they make a decision one way or the other.  I love teaching kids about how history, science, literature, and, yes, even math all work together to make the foundation of our lives, cultures, and world.  I love teaching kids to push themselves beyond every limit they thought they had.  I love teaching kids that basic things like respect, kindness, humility, and understanding can move mountains. I love teaching kids that they can and will change the world...and that they have a choice about what that change will look like.  I even love teaching kids the difference between action and linking verbs, that adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, that a lot is two words, sentences are puzzles and every word has its place, and the difference between their/there/they're. I am thankful that my profession (like most) has checks and balances. I am very aware of the fact that I have weaknesses.  I am happy that I am encouraged to strengthen those weak areas and excel in my areas of strength.  I agree that the children in our state and nation deserve the best education we can provide them. I agree that ineffective teachers need to be given the support/tools to become effective...whatever they may be.  I believe that if my kids are not successful, it is at least in part because I have not been successful.  I believe that the success of my students is bigger than a test and that neither one of us should be judged only on the outcome of one stressful exam.  I believe that teachers should be consulted when making laws and regulations regarding education.  I believe that we, as adults, set the example for younger generations....and we need to step up our game. I believe in telling kids the truth...even (if not especially) when the truth is "I don't know"....because they sooooo know when we're lying.  I believe that when make decisions about who our elected officials should be, what laws should be in place, and how we should be involved in the affairs of other countries we should keep those younger generations in mind. 

Next week we have the opportunity to set that example. Whatever way your votes fall...vote.