Classroom Courtesies
In the last blog post, we explored the concept of discipline, both in and out of the classroom.
I heard from some teachers and others who said what is going on now is more than about discipline.
It is about courtesy.
I have had many conversations lately with teachers about how disrespectful and rude students and (especially) parents have been.
First of all, it is the season of testing from now until May or June. As a result…
Students are stressed.
Parents are stressed.
Teachers are stressed.
Admin is stressed.
Put all that stress together and it is like the energy required for nuclear fission and an atomic explosion!!! And from what I hear and see first hand (and on social media), there are a lot of explosions going off both in and out of the classroom.
YIKES!
Kindness is a word that is one of my mantras and something I try to live by.
There is so much merchandise that is sold now promoting kindness, but I don’t know that people always understand what that means.
I have recently seen the phrase “be courteous” used instead.
Maybe that is a generational thing too because I am not sure many people under the age of thirty would be able to tell you what that means.
To be courteous and kind used to be central themes in old TV shows of the 60’s like The Andy Griffith Show.
My mom, who is 93, says that it used to be part of what she calls “home training”.
Hmmmm… so what does it mean to be courteous? (more…)
