"As a principal of an elementary school, I can't think of a more valuable program. It is obvious that the development of empathy should be at the heart of any character education. The dramatic call for anti-bullying programs by politicians, parents, students and educators is sufficient evidence. The essence of It's OK to be Different is the development of empathy by targeting stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination. I know of no other program that does this so well.
Besides involving various segments of the community in implementation, the program avoids the usual charge of 'just one more thing' in the overloaded curriculum. Because of the involvement of all the language arts components - reading, writing, listening, speaking and viewing - the teacher can readily use the program to supplement instruction.
However, the most important contribution of the program to the elementary school is the establishment of a common language of empathy. As a principal, I was able to use the concepts of It's OK to resolve conflicts, establish an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding and create programs of community involvement.
We had a wonderful school, renowned throughout the area, and, I believe, it was because of this program."
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Reflection from Laura Richdale, teacher
I have recently requested reflections from people involved with the It's OK to be Different program. I am looking for responses from teachers, parents and administrators. The first is from Laura Richdale, teacher and friend.
"The It's OK to be Different program became a support that I used throughout my teaching days. Whenever a child made a negative remark aimed at a classmate or friend (present or not) I would wait to see if another nearby child would react in a positive manner. The more experience the class had had with the program, the more often I would overhear someone speak up on his/her own, to offer a solution to the conflict. If not, I would simply begin a discussion about the time they focused on understanding then accepting differences in others. I would try to jog their memories, getting them to relate what had just transpired to what they had experienced when talking about respecting personal feelings. More often than not, the children were able to connect the events and instead of the incident at hand taking on a very negative tone, everyone would see that we all need to remind each other that it is indeed okay to be different.
"The It's OK to be Different program became a support that I used throughout my teaching days. Whenever a child made a negative remark aimed at a classmate or friend (present or not) I would wait to see if another nearby child would react in a positive manner. The more experience the class had had with the program, the more often I would overhear someone speak up on his/her own, to offer a solution to the conflict. If not, I would simply begin a discussion about the time they focused on understanding then accepting differences in others. I would try to jog their memories, getting them to relate what had just transpired to what they had experienced when talking about respecting personal feelings. More often than not, the children were able to connect the events and instead of the incident at hand taking on a very negative tone, everyone would see that we all need to remind each other that it is indeed okay to be different.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Freedom Riders
Most of my posts lately have related to the anti-bullying and disabilities sections for It's OK to be Different because of my current involvement with these programs this year. However, I am always interested in keeping current with issues that relate to the other two programs, Celebrating Cultures and Courage to Care. One in particular is the 50th anniversary of the historic Freedom Rides.
The Freedom Riders were Civil Rights activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated South to challenge the laws. In addition to the excellent PBS special that aired this week in honor of the anniversary, there is a childrens' book I highly recommend, Freedom Riders by Ann Bausum. It tells the story of John Lewis and Jim Zwerg, 2 young men who believed in a cause. Their idealism and courage brought them together. They were badly beaten because they sat next to one another on the bus. John was black. Jim was white.
Our children need to know about these heroes who believed in justice for all.
The Freedom Riders were Civil Rights activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated South to challenge the laws. In addition to the excellent PBS special that aired this week in honor of the anniversary, there is a childrens' book I highly recommend, Freedom Riders by Ann Bausum. It tells the story of John Lewis and Jim Zwerg, 2 young men who believed in a cause. Their idealism and courage brought them together. They were badly beaten because they sat next to one another on the bus. John was black. Jim was white.
Our children need to know about these heroes who believed in justice for all.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Ingrid and Sarah - fighting Rett Stdrome
April is Autism Awareness Month and Rett Syndrome is the most severe form of autism. It is a debilitating neurological disorder that primarily affects girls.
Ingrid Love Harding, whose beautiful daughter, Sarah, suffers from Rett syndrome, founded an organization to promote awareness and raise money for research called, Girl Power2 Cure, Inc. So impressed by the warmth and understanding Sarah received from the girls in her kindergarten class the first day of school, Ingrid realized that it would be this powerful generation of girls that would help her raise awareness and find a cure, thus Girl Power 2 Cure was begun.
I admire Ingrid's strength and tenacity as she devotes her time and energy to bring about awareness and foster positive change. She is a role model for other parents who have a child with a disability, but she is also a leader in promoting and creating programs to find a cure.
Please visit the website and learn more about Rett Syndrome and discover ways you can help as a individual or a group. We will be planting a Garden of Hope at Tower Hill School. Hopefully you can do the same. Visit:www.girlpower2cure.org
Ingrid Love Harding, whose beautiful daughter, Sarah, suffers from Rett syndrome, founded an organization to promote awareness and raise money for research called, Girl Power2 Cure, Inc. So impressed by the warmth and understanding Sarah received from the girls in her kindergarten class the first day of school, Ingrid realized that it would be this powerful generation of girls that would help her raise awareness and find a cure, thus Girl Power 2 Cure was begun.
I admire Ingrid's strength and tenacity as she devotes her time and energy to bring about awareness and foster positive change. She is a role model for other parents who have a child with a disability, but she is also a leader in promoting and creating programs to find a cure.
Please visit the website and learn more about Rett Syndrome and discover ways you can help as a individual or a group. We will be planting a Garden of Hope at Tower Hill School. Hopefully you can do the same. Visit:www.girlpower2cure.org
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