Back to menu | Back to Archives | Current Issue

 

By Kryztofer D. "KD" Garcia, Ethnic Minority Representative

Preparing for the future has become more difficult considering what our country is going through right now. There are many victims in this horrific date in history. But there is hope for a brighter future.

As prospective educators, we have a responsibility to our students to assure them that when tragic events occur there is always hope for recovery. Providing reassurance can be as simple as following what is summarized in the following excerpts from the audiotape Successful Parenting, developed by Helene Rothschild as printed on a poster titled As I Grow by American Arts & Graphics, Inc.

Please...

• Understand that I am growing up and changing very fast. It must be difficult to keep pace with me, but please try.
• Listen to me and give me brief, clear answers to my questions. Then I will keep sharing my thoughts and feelings.
• Reward me for telling the truth. Then I am not frightened into lying.
• Tell me when you make mistakes and what you learned from them. Then I can accept that I am OK, even when I blunder.
• Pay attention to me, and spend time with me. Then I can believe that I am important and worthwhile.
• Do the things you want me to do. Then I have a good, positive model.
• Trust and respect me. Even though I am smaller than you, I have feelings and needs just like you.
• Compliment and appreciate me. Then I'll feel good, and I'll want to continue to please you.
• Help me explore my unique interests, talents (sic) and potential. In order for me to be happy, I need to be me, and not you or someone you want me to be.
• Be an individual and create your own happiness. Then you can teach me the same, and I can live a happy, successful (sic) and fulfilling life.

Even though this is from Successful Parenting, as future educators this is relevant to our career for we become "parents" to some of our students. Reassurance of RECOVERY is what our future brings. BE BLESSED.