Some people are hesistant to have children, solely because they are afraid of the world they are going to inherit. In the wave of recent events not only yesterday, but in the past few years or so, sometimes I have concerns about where society is headed, and what will ultimately happen to Kai in the years I am long gone.
I’m increasingly happy every day I made the leap from middle to high school. Teaching seniors gives me the opportunity to have difficult but necessary conversations. In light of the increasing political violence on both sides of the spectrum in recent years, I’ve found it essential to remind students of the values that underpin a free society—most importantly, the right to express your opinions without fear of being silenced or harmed. As John F. Kennedy once said, “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.” When we study the Civil Rights Movement, we see how Martin Luther King Jr. became a martyr for a necessary cause. It’s sobering to reflect on how fragile freedom can feel in a country where people can be threatened for their beliefs.
In recent years, particularly during the era of Trump, political dialogue has become increasingly polarized, making honest conversations harder to have. Yet if we hope to move toward a more peaceful society, we must cultivate the ability to engage with differing perspectives. I’m hopeful that my seniors—soon to be adults—will carry this understanding forward and help build a society rooted in coexistence and mutual respect (and inevitably Kai will inherit that said world). Social media, of course, complicates this work, with so many people just posting things online for clout, or attention, but it also makes these lessons all the more vital.
Later that same day, I had the honor of being recognized at the AUHSD Board Meeting for completing the Lead Program. While I don’t anticipate using my administrative services credential anytime soon, it’s reassuring to have it in my back pocket for the future. Here’s hoping I can inspire others in someway moving forward – if it remains solely in the classroom and my own home that will be fine too.
