People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
~Bonnie Jean Wasmund
Hello, Everyone:
You have completed another week of transforming the minds of our youth—BRAVO to you! Kindness is an idiom rarely talked about, yet is foundational to our success. It can heal, transform, resurrect, empower, and comfort. Fueled by its kin, compassion and generosity, kindness swells into the mightiest of powers—a true force with which to be reckoned. Look nowhere but within, and it is clear that even the smallest act of kindness can leave an everlasting impression on the soul.
Kindness is perhaps the most underrated and misunderstood of all human virtues. Even though touted by many throughout history after history of rising and falling civilizations, it remains undervalued. Kindness is the cornerstone of major world belief systems, the underpinnings of some of the greatest global visionaries, and it provides the answer to the future of our world—our students! Yet, kindness remains dismissed.
Even though its power is pervasive, it is perhaps the simplest to the virtues to put into practice. Sometimes it is hard to believe that something so small can have such a profound power, but it does. Extending kindness to our colleagues and our students has within it the power to change a life or even the destiny of those around you. The ripple effect of kindness is everlasting. You have heard, “Don’t take my kindness for weakness”; however, kindness requires a strength that permeates a life condition that remains untouchable. Contrary to weakness, kindness is the gift of those who have been seasoned to accept this status of ultimate wisdom.
In essence, there can be no corporate teamwork without the gift of kindness. Thank you for giving this gift to each other and to our students; thank you for teaching with passion every day!
Taken from Skomal, L. (2006). Kindness: Words of Wisdom to Guide, Influence, Inspire, and Share
Looking Towards the Lighthouse,
Kim (Smile)
6 comments:
I agree that kindness is an essential part of teamwork and teaching. We are teaching our students so much more than our GPS curriculum. We are teaching them how to be an adult through our own actions. Children learn by what we do as much as by what we say. We must keep in mind we have many little eyes waiting everything we do and say. If they see that we are kind and fair to everyone, then trust is built. If they feel an injustice has occurred, then that trust is eroded.
I have been accused of being "too nice," as a teacher. But I have numerous students who return to me after leaving my class to thank me for my patience and kindness. All of my students may not need the science material I teach in order to be successful adults, but they all need my love and kindness.
While I do not disagree that kindness shoiuld be at the heart of all of our relationships, I believe that firmness and truth share the stage with kindness. Kindness, without firmness, honesty, expectations or appropriate standards, is hurtful rather than helpful.
The whole atmoshpere of the school would be better and less stressful if we showed our students and each other some kindness.
Kindness is not a weakness it is a show of character. As with discipline and order, kindness eases the learning environment.
Besides kindness towards the students, kindness among the faculty is an important aspect of the school environment. Our interactions are the same as a child watching his/her parents interact. We must model the kindness that we seek from our students.
Kindness is essential to a cooperative successful relationship among students, parents, stakeholders, and oveteachers, as well as others. The very life of a student's future can be effected by one showing kindness or the lack of kindness to a student. Just today a parent pointed out that her son has dropped out of Spencer due to an alleged lack of interest/professionalism shown to her and her son. Like it not one of the keys to Spencer's success is how we make people feel.
Sonja T. Parker
Kindness should be used at all times. Whether its a home, work, school or wherever you are at.
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