Coming out of the holiday season, I am always reminded of how much I appreciate my children’s teachers and those that spend long hours with them, day in and day out. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids, but I find, especially in this season of GIVING, that they sometimes try my patience, and I’m sure I try theirs as well.
Tolerance, defined as the acceptance of differing views of other people, is this month’s character trait. It fits this time of year for so many reasons. Obviously, with the upcoming celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we can consider the progress that we have made as a nation in promoting and encouraging tolerance, though we’d probably all agree that we have a long way to go. Personally, and in the school, we challenge ourselves and our students to learn to empathize or “put ourselves in someone else’s shoes,” in order to build tolerance and learn to create communities that promote fairness and learning opportunities for everyone.
Holden is so special in so many ways, proudly holding the honor of hosting the most unique and diverse population in the district. Our students get to know others from all walks of life, different socio-economic groups, cultures, religions and family structures. We are blessed with the opportunity to help our students see, firsthand, how other families establish values, encourage their beliefs and inspire tolerance.
As we start this new year, many of us with resolutions to lose weight, or work more efficiently or to get more sleep (hah!), let’s all resolve to renew our efforts to be tolerant. Through tolerance comes respect and understanding. Through respect and understanding comes peace. May you all have a peaceful 2012!
Julie
