Leadership and Development Trainer
Our current divide in America has many people discouraged, some to the point of depression. Schools are especially affected, but there is an upside. As educators, we get to do something about it. We have more opportunity than most to overcome our current divide and instill hope in each other and in the young people we serve.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
This is one of my favorite lines from the prayer of St. Francis and one we can all aspire to as educators. Stop reading for a few moments and reflect on what you can do each day to make your school a beacon of hope for your staff and students, then work to create a culture that is safe, warm, and welcoming for everyone. Our kids have dreams, so let’s do everything we can to keep their dreams alive and instill hope in the future.
Where Do We Start
We can borrow a mission of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Before each game both teams stand at attention while their “Influencers of Change” pledge is read.
We will treat everyone with respect & dignity.
We will not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
We will stand up and speak out to
create an inclusive environment for all.
We see the need for improvement, and
we will use our platform to be influencers of change.
Together we can foster a culture of kindness & respect for all.
We invite you to support our effort.
Embrace Our Diversity
Can your school adopt a similar mission? We don’t have to teach diversity – we already have it. So let’s not back down from the challenge of creating schools, communities, and a nation that is safe and welcoming for everyone. As we learn to embrace our differences we discover and marvel at our commonality. Let’s realize that at the core of our being, we are so much alike.
He prayed, it wasn’t my religion.
He ate. It wasn’t what I ate.
He spoke. It wasn’t my language.
He dressed. It wasn’t what I wore.
He took my hand. It wasn’t the same color as mine.
But when he laughed, we laughed the same.
And when he cried. we cried the same.
Nelson Mandella reminds us that “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate and if they can learn to hate they can be taught to love. For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
Our young people today get it. They are so in tune and so willing to create a society and a world that strives for peace and harmony. Let us, as educators, carry the torch and pave the way. It all happens one person at a time. So I invite you to carry the torch and pave the way in your school.
Denny Smith is a motivational speaker and author committed to making our schools and communities safe and welcoming for all people. Visit http://www.dennysmith.com
