Just Be a Good Person

Just Be a Good Person

     As 9-11 approached this year,  I struggled once again with how to broach this subject with my students. Since they are 9 and 10, I have always stayed away from the images and heartbreaking stories of that day and choose to focus on what happened the next day, and the next, and the next. The true meaning of heroes and bravery. The ways in which our country came together and were unified in patriotism and acts of service. How we worried about our neighbors and were kind to strangers. The memorials that have been created to remind us of all those that lost their lives. 

     This year, I chose that same path. I got the usual questions and comments about the pictures and videos most had seen of the horrific acts and destruction of that day. As humans, we have such a fascination with this. But I glossed over that and told the kids that the real message comes from what happened after that day. We read wonderful books such as September 12: We Knew Everything Would be Alright and watched the Reading Rainbow episode, "The Tin Forest." The students learned about a school in New York right down the street from the Twin Towers. They learned how those kids dealt with the tragedy and the sense of hope that came out of that day. As I glanced around the room, I marveled at the intense interest of the students. My hope was that they were getting the true message.

     Our discussion after was one I will never forget. The students no longer were focused on the devastation, but wanted to know, "Why?" 

"How could someone do such a horrible thing to other people?" 

"What can we do?"

One student commented about all of the murders in St. Louis and the number of kids that have been killed for no reason. Another mentioned the senseless attacks on schools and how we have to have lockdown drills. 

Again, the questions were "Why?"

"How could someone do such a horrible thing to other people?"
"What can we do?"
     I took a deep breath and began to answer hoping that God gave me the right words to say. I asked the students what I had told them at the beginning of the year. What was the biggest thing that I hoped they learned this year?
     Immediately, several responded, "To Just Be a Good Person." The kids took over the discussion and talked about how that simple thing could influence others and help to make a change in our world. How they could be leaders and show kindness in our class and school. They got it. At that moment, I knew that these kids could grow up and make a difference.
     As adults, we need to teach our kids how to be good people. Set great examples for them, give them hope, encourage acts of kindness and service. Help them be the change we want to see by being that change for them right now!
     As the students headed back to their desks, one child asked me again, "Why would someone kill themselves just to kill so many others? Did they hate us that much?
     Another child turned around and responded, "He just wasn't a good person."

     Yes, they got it. Just Be a Good Person!