Welcome To the School Year… Start a New!

by Paul Ruez, M.Ed

With school underway the cultural and behavioral tones are being set by everyone from top down. Some teachers and administrators, while maintaining balanced positions of authority, have successfully invested in finding ways and means for connecting from the heart. That genuine sincerity reflects in their empathic connections with others. Quality love-based relationships follow and this opens the door to a more enriched and fun school year.

The extreme flip side is tormented by people who have learned only how to dominate and it’s their way or the high-way. We’ve all met these needy people and now in our culture some of them have popularized vengeance, intolerance, revenge and even hatred. Yes, I also observe that entitlement - as opposed to personal responsibility - likewise infects behavior choices.

Examples of this extreme are found in Reuters News Special Report:

Political violence in polarized U.S. at its worst since 1970s

https://www.reuters.com/investigates/specialreport/usa-politics-violence/

Daily we hear about tragic incidents involving school age people. Of course, what do we expect? Kids see adults who are supposed to “know better” acting out behaviors most of us would not allow in our classrooms or personal relationships.

As an educator I see this as a powerful opportunity. I don’t see this as a “Right / Wrong” issue. I suggest that it’s about learning, teaching and practicing creative empathy-based communication and conflict resolution skills. And the most difficult part of this begins with the student in the mirror.

For those who seek solutions I encourage you to collect, copy and share the lessons I have given through this fine magazine, Teachers Making a Difference. My LinkedIn site also has useful lesson material: https://bit.ly/Ruez-Restorative

Take digestible bits and pieces and develop them to meet your needs. Invest 5 minutes of each class and target one issue. The Horse Frog Lesson (communication tools) is perfect for integrating into class periods. So are the Jabberwocky Lessons (personal responsibility), the Drop Dead Play (conflict resolution) and many others: See my Educators 1st Responders Tool Kit in the July 2023 Teachers Making a Difference page 7. Ask me for help. https://bit.ly/1St-RespondersEducToolsTMAD

Begin daily by making this a solo priority. Document / journal what works. Next, collaborate - have a check-in partner. Formal or informal, arrange after school sessions with a similar focus. If students give a daily video news program, in addition to scores and activity schedules, incorporate successful behavior strategies and tactics into those presentations. Identify and join teachers with super needy students you have in common. Do what works and share what works.

Please keep eyes and ears open for students and adults in need… Yes, it could be you. Help is available. Seek and share.

And, remember to document your progress. It is a valuable part of your personal and professional growth and may be something you can share to help others as I share what you read here.

Paul Ruez, M.Ed. RuezArt@gmail.com 442-287-3746