Gathering Places
Gathering Places
Conflict is tough. Especially in Hawaii. We don't like conflict and we think that it somehow makes us or the other person "bad" when we disagree. That's why training in conflict resolution in school is so vital. It teaches the kids that it is OK to have differing views, and to respect those views. Teachers need
to take the long
view in this strikeEnter the strike. The very people who have taught conflict resolution in the schools are now on the picket line. Everyone is watching to see how they handle it. Most of us would expect, say, autoworkers in a Midwestern factory to be yelling "SCAB!" We might even expect some people there to get roughed up. We don't expect this of our teachers.
Teachers are different. While many are showing professionalism, some are not. If you are caught on a TV camera or in a news photo exhibiting negative or anti-social behavior, how can you go back into the classroom and converse with your students about getting along, solving problems like adults, allowing different persons to have an opinion?You cannot. Your students will look at you in disbelief. You will have lost credibility and will be unable to teach the very values you did not exhibit yourselves. If you expect these students to respect you, you need to respect the non-strikers, the public and anyone else affected by this.
If you don't respect other persons, if you say, "Well, hey, the strike breakers are showing the governor that we aren't serious," then you are also telling a school kids that if they are "crossed" or they feel their position is threatened, that it's OK for them to push, call names and sabotage the other person.
All over America we are wringing our hands and wondering why our children bring guns to school. We wonder why our kids are so angry. We hope that some form of values training will help them grow up to be healthy and civil adults.
Please recognize that your behavior is telling them whether that is possible. "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." Kids do not do what they are told, they do what they see.
Teachers, we all know you are serious. We all know your pain. Everyone, including the governor knows you need a raise. We in the community want to know that the raise is going to people who will care not only for the educational needs of our children, but also for their emotional needs.
It is imperative that we all use this opportunity to show our keiki that it is OK to disagree, and that resolution is a possibility even when you are miles apart in your opinions. This is indeed the best civics lesson you can teach your students.
For more than 20 years, I have presented in-service training in most school districts on Oahu. As a businessperson and as a parent, I want this to end with a win-win as much as anyone. And I don't want our kids learning that the only way to resolve a dispute is shoving, name calling and sabotage. Please strike professionally. We are counting on you.
Teachers: Remember who you are. Remember who is watching you.