Kids

Working in alternative education for a number of years has tilted my thinking toward reaching kids and getting to the heart of their needs. Also inherent in this is reaching out to provide support for students in different situations.

Kids Are Amazing
Kids are amazing. Whether young or old, they are sponges for information and never lose that sense of excitement and enjoyment when the school year begins. Whether their interest is sports or academics or leadership, kids provide not only knowledge but dedication to their area of interest. Kids also are brutally honest and often say exactly what is on their minds. They utilize creativity and sense of humor to move things forth and often are guided by a sense of righteousness or passion for causes and events.

Kids Deserve to Be Empowered
Kids deserve to be empowered. Kids are positive and kids have great ideas and positive intent. Kids are funny and all are gifted and talented in one way or the other. It is our responsibility to reach out to kids and bring out the best in them. Whether top of the class or one who has fallen behind, we need to reach out and bring out their strengths. And the empowerment does not just happen at school. The community provides opportunity for mentoring and coaching and providing support for kids. Family time, church, and other organizations can fill the gaps.

Today I sat in a training on the strategic planning process now in place in California. Our last activity of the day was to interact with a panel of high school students who were participants with their district in the process. They were amazing, funny, honest, and dedicated. They took the responsibility of their participation very seriously and had suggestions for how to make the process even more effective.

Then I came home and called my brother, who was on his way to coach football,  only to hear the latest antics of my nephew who I love dearly. Very much an individual, this high school junior is not only smart, but talented. And what of the little ones. Earlier in the week I walked through an elementary school with the principal and saw the ingenuity and individuality of the fourth graders and the childlike participation of the first and second graders.

Then I see references on Facebook to situations where people have abused or radically mistreated kids and it makes me angry. Really angry.  Children are not only our future, they are innocent to the realities of adulthood and never responsible for their actions until the age of accountability. People who hurt kids should be hurt back. No golden rule here.

Some Miraculous Students.
I have worked with some pretty miraculous kids in my time. As play director and teacher and then as principal. Kids who told the honest truth and came out of their shells to play the parts of plays such as The Wizard of Oz and Robin Hood. Kids that I now know as adults who followed their dreams and became the person they wanted to be in high school. Kids who gave and gave and still give today. Kids who married each other and now have children of their own.

I cannot say enough about the power of youth to change our minds. Change perspectives and make the world a happier place. Move mountains and solve world problems. Maturing into adults with a great sense of integrity and a great sense of humor.  In the years of working with kids, I cannot remember one who did not deserve a great education, a chance to develop gifts and talents, and an opportunity to pursue the future of his or her choice.

Listen
We need to listen to kids. Be their mentors. Show respect. Teach manners and proper behavior. Emphasize success and health and safety. We need to allow kids to have fun and learn and become who they are.  Teachers love kids. Parents love their kids. We need to recognize them for the gift they bring to the world.