Civility is your choice, as well as a right in how one responds to a topic of importance. It is always correct and the manner in which to respond. It requires courage, concern for others, presence and patience. Civility is a choice of being angry with a person, or subject matter because or a difference of opinion, beliefs or behavior. We should always have enough ability to allow one to agree to disagree.
August is fast approaching, teachers will be returning back to their assigned campuses after a summer break depending on teachers contracts. The pre-inservice workshops are conducted prior to students entering the classrooms. All members of the education community share in the responsibility for creating and sustaining cultures of civility. As the classrooms are prepared for anticipated arrivals, teachers scopes need to broaden and wider. The summer preparation might consist of, sharing room duties to make the process simpler. The simplest acts build the team for the semester. Hold the door open as another staff members had is juggling extra bags or boxes of supplies needed to finish setting up the classroom prior to the first day of school. All acts civility and professional work atmosphere.
All members of the education community share responsibility for creating and sustaining cultures of civility. We can all do our part to treat others as we wish to be treated and to be respectful and compassionate to everyone (even those with whom we disagree).
 Catherine Barrett is an Arizona Governor’s Master Teacher and currently Chair of citizens initiative petition, A Classroom Code of Ethics For Public Schools K-12. You can find her on Twitter @ReadersLeadPD, and on Facebook at Yes4Ethics. |
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