There is a photographer who has a Facebook page called Humans of New York. The photographer takes photos of people from all different backgrounds, races, ages, and societies. In January 2015, the photographer ask "Who's influenced you the most in your life?" to a 13 year old boy while taking a photo of him. The boy replied, " My principal, Ms. Lopez." "How has she influenced you?" asked the photographer. The boy replied, "When we get in trouble, she doesn't suspend us. She calls us to her office and explains to us how society has built down around us. And she tells us that each time somebody fails out of school, a new jail cell gets built. And one time she made every student stand up, one at a time, and she told each one of is that we matter."
Kids need to know that they matter and that they are loved. Children need to know that the principals of their schools are individuals who enforce rules while giving love, protection, and safety. People all across American read the boy's response, and a fundraising campaign was started. Around one million dollars was raised to assist Mott Hill Bridges Academy, which is located in Brooklyn.
I love to read stories of how people are helping each other. Mrs. Lopez is doing a great job investing in her students lives. It is so much easier to just deal with the surface behavior rather than the heart. As a Christian, I would say that she is on the right track, but unless she is planting the seeds of Christ into her students hearts, her investment will not have the long term behavioral change that she is looking for. Only through Jesus Christ can anyone's heart truly change. These students may try hard to be moral and well behaved, but self-effort will only take them so far. Christ is the answer that all of our souls are craving for. Having said this, I do appreciate the many people in our schools that are looking for investment into our students rather than just a quick change of behavior.
ReplyDeleteEducators have a bigger impact on the hearts and lives of students than they may realize. Words last a very long time, whether kind or harsh. I think it's wise that she is telling them the "why" behind the instruction and discipline. As states above, as a Christian educator we are fighting for the hearts of our students, and maybe we should more times than not, let them know that we are fighting for them
ReplyDeleteStudents need to see the why behind rules that we have in ourclassrooms. The need to see tangibly that their teacher/principal is their advocate...on their side...their cheerleader. My father was an educator. He was my hero and many of his students' hero. He was the name students would have police call to come get them when they were in trouble. They knew he loved them unconditionally...yet taught and expected good character.
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