If it wasn't obvious, a teacher's job is to teach. A parent's job is also partially that of a teacher. But, what is a teacher's to teach and what is a parent's to teach?
I would argue that in many ways, there is a lot of overlap. If a parent wishes to teach their children academics as well as life skills and morals, they should do so, and if a teacher wishes to teach life skills and morals in addition to the academics they teach, they should of course do so.
Children aren't born with empathy. This is clear when children are being bullied on the playground, in the halls, over the internet and text, just for being who they are. This is only one of many reasons it is important for us to remind children that we are all created in G-d's image, therefore, we are who we are supposed to be because G-d has created us in the way we are.
It's been interesting this year, being in a school at least once a week to work with a class. The school I work at has a policy that, once a month when they convene for a school-wide assembly, they show two videos about bullying and what it means to not be a bystander. I think this is one way of combatting bullying and I welcome most other ways of teaching these values as well.
Day 300: Express Your Gratitude to the People Nearest to You...Now
The people we are closest to are often the ones we forget to thank. Change that! If you've got a roommate, thank them for washing something for you when you couldn't or thank them for driving you somewhere [or everywhere]. If you haven't thanked your parents in a while, call them up and tell them you appreciate them. Small acts of gratitude can change an entire day for someone.
Day 301: Shabbat
It's been a bit of a strange week and I realize now a strange month. But hey, THERE ARE 64 DAYS LEFT IN THIS PROJECT, HOW CRAZY IS THAT? This year, for all the negatives that have come with it, has been one of the biggest periods of learning for myself, and I think that's what I'll try to remember about 2015.
- Sanctifying the Secular: N/A
- Don't Be a Racist: N/A
- Never Practice Ingratitude: N/A
- Raising Truthful Children: N/A
- Empathy Is Not Natural: N/A
- Express Your Gratitude to the People Nearest to You...Now: N/A
Day 302: Learning to Say "I Need"
"If you need help, particularly in a potentially life-threatening situation, seek it. It is not just your right but your obligation" (421).
Day 303: When Anonymous Giving Is Important, and When It Is Not
A misconception I held: anonymous giving is one of the highest mitzvot.
Why this misconception is something I now call a misconception: it matters more what your intention is when giving money. Also "If you know of osmeone who need financial help, give it to him or her, but in private; tell no one else (unless it is important to tell those people who might also beinclined to offer assisstance). True, the recipient will know your identity, but let that knowledge be restricte to him. You will know; he will know; G-d will know. Why does anyone else need to" (422)?
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