I will preface this post by saying I had written this entry over a year ago, and I never published it. When looking back on my drafts, I had the unsettling realization that there will most likely come another time that would make this post relevant, and unfortunately, that time has come yet again. It is my sincere hope that we will see change one day.
After some current news stories, I felt the need to take a side note from writing about educational policy and instructional practices, and to focus on one of the major life lessons that schools have the opportunities of teaching.
One of the great parts about life in America is the freedom we are given to do with it what we choose. The freedom of choice is an incredible right, as well as privilege, we have bestowed upon us. The "future" is created by our choices. Schools often have programs to teach about good decisions, and we even see mass produced posters with inspirational quotes encouraging kids to make good choices. However, with recent events taking place, I think the message is bigger than a poster can deliver.
Choices define who we become. We make choices every day, some more important than others. The choices we make then become our legacy. Our individual, unique choices create our character. The magnitude of our freedom of choice is sometimes lost on adolescents. I think the method in helping these students understand the impact of their choices can be found in the instruction in our classrooms. Showing students that there is a world for them to conquer with their unique skill set is a vital aspect in classrooms. By providing opportunities for students to shine, as well as giving praise, will build confidence in children to make good decisions.
Not only teachers and schools, but as adults, and humans in general, it is our responsibility to do what we can to ensure that children understand the value of choices in life. Again, this is food for thought, a side note from my normal blogs, but I felt after recent events it is important to remember the impact of our choices.
