What every teacher ought to do... before it is too late

<p> They've already decided. The decision is made. If someone is in danger, they'll be there. They'll put out the fire. Whether it is the kind of fire that crackles in flame or in the heated sparks of human emotion, it is their job. 9/11 or not, they're always where things run hot.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrxlpSNMdHX_Z4Utl5GVxG4RzXct3Jxx0wBRLvp0QkolEoLkdrVutDGYBxd4ILdPEAOtQdMZaRNa1J5cuG1VWzgpIaS2iZ1JGKpB7CDGagX4QpV2GJ_8jqtHO7r8jggKr8Dn7Uk49zJRQ/s1024/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252011%25253A11%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A photo of a lone firefighter doing his job amidst the flame and heat" class="alignleft" height="667" id="blogsy-1378982774502.0425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrxlpSNMdHX_Z4Utl5GVxG4RzXct3Jxx0wBRLvp0QkolEoLkdrVutDGYBxd4ILdPEAOtQdMZaRNa1J5cuG1VWzgpIaS2iZ1JGKpB7CDGagX4QpV2GJ_8jqtHO7r8jggKr8Dn7Uk49zJRQ/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252011%25253A11%252520AM.jpg" width="500"></a></p> <p>Once a week in the fall when my son steps out on the football field, I worry if he'll be OK as he plays the game.</p> <h1>An Every Day Worry</h1> <p>Every day of every year of every season, the loved ones of firefighters and first responders wonder if they'll come home that night. </p> <h2>Does anyone understand?</h2> <p>Do any of us really understand what it would be like to live life like that? Do we have a clue?</p> <p>Even more, do we even say thank you?</p> <p>Not the generic 'thank you for all you do" but the more powerful:</p> <ul> <li>Thank you for your service.</li> <li>Thank you for keeping us safe.</li> <li>Thank you for responding even when it is scary or hard or upsetting.</li></ul> <p>There are public servants everywhere but few are paid as little and expected to do so much.</p> <h3>The Surprising truth about the offices of first responders</h3> <p>Yesterday as my students delivered and set up an appreciation for local law enforcement, they were met with gratitude. In two separate places they were told:</p> <blockquote><div>"People don't really want to come down here for good things, it is always the tough things we deal with."</div></blockquote> <h1>What every teacher ought to do at least once this year...</h1> <p>Many of you have been sharing on Twitter how you've had students create cards and do things to say "thank you." Wherever you live, whoever you are, if you teach - <strong>make sure you've scheduled one day and one activity this year to thank these heroes of our community.</strong> </p> <p>Too often we feel gratitude when their ears are cold and crisp uniforms are donned to lie in rest.</p> <p>I have one fine police officer in mind who gave his life in pursuit of a thief and was fatally shot.</p> <p>Did anyone ever come by before he died and say thank you? Did he feel the gratitude of a grateful community? </p> <p>Even more, did I say "thank you for your service?" I saw him the week before it happened and I know I didn't. I'm guilty. I didn't tell him thank you, even when he came in his dress blues to pick up his son from school. I knew he had a hard job working a tough part of town and I didn't say thank you. </p> <p>I can't go back -- but in his honor, I can say - never again. I will be grateful and lead students to be also. In his honor, I can ask all of you to do the same. </p> <p><strong>We best honor our fallen heroes by thanking their living brothers and sisters who carry on in the hard work at hand. You can do nothing about 9/11 and the heroes but use your sadness to inspire gratitude for the living.</strong></p> <h1>Gratitude can be taught and encouraged</h1> <p>In such a high burnout, low paying, highly emotional profession (sounds like teaching doesn't it?) - we should show our gratitude and inspire it in our students.</p> <p>In the US, September 21 is "National Thank a Police Officer Day" - while you shouldn't need an excuse - if 9/11 isn't enough then let that be your excuse. </p> <p>Whatever your country, you have people keeping you safe. Thank them. They deserve it.</p> <p><strong>Thank You Hymn</strong></p> <p>There are heroes among us serving every day in a quiet way.</p> <p>But if trouble is there, they are too, any time we ask - there's the blue</p> <p>If the worst happens and there's a fire - the thin red line will attack the pire</p> <p>Let's not wait to give their due, let's say thanks from me and you. </p> <h3>Make a date to appreciate</h3> <p>Will you get out your planner right now and plan something?</p> <p>And remember - gratitude is something we all impart. Whether it is being thankful for those in the community who serve or the lunchroom staff or janitors, or front office or teachers or parents or grandparents - being grateful for what is done for us daily is something we should impart to this generation. (We should be grateful for these precious children, they are a gift to our lives and our future.)</p> <p>Maybe some feel this generation are ungrateful because we're not teaching and fostering an environment of gratitude. </p> <p>Thank you to all the heroes among us, but as I continue to ponder in the afterglow of 9/11, I'm thankful because I know that there are many men and women here in Mitchell County and beyond who step in and do a hard job any time duty calls. </p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> Remember your noble calling, teacher. Whether or not this generation will be grateful is largely up to us.</div> <p> </p> <p><em>This post is written in honor of <a href="http://www.mysouthwestga.com/news/story.aspx?id=559182#.UjGaQcu9KSM" target="_self" title="">Lieutenant Cliff Rouse</a>, a local hero who raised a fine young man to carry his name and died too soon. May this world show your profession the gratitude it deserves.</em></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

Inspiration Teaching What every teacher ought to do... before it is too late

They've already decided. The decision is made. If someone is in danger, they'll be there. They'll put out the fire. Whether it ...

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