SCHOOLS FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

DONNA ROSE P. YABUT

Children and teens internalize moral values and behaviors, as well as strong social skills, when they see them being modeled by adults they respect. Teachers and other staff are models for students, whether they realize it or not. They don’t choose whether they are influencing students’ moral and social development but they can choose how they do so. School adult can model positive moral and social skills in a range of ways. These include simple everyday actions, like praising admirable qualities and achievements in those who are not often recognized, treating all students fairly and taking an interest in all of them even those who may be seen as “difficult” students.

A school of social development must teach students the world around them and discuss how to remedy each problem they are encountering. As teachers we must also learn how to devote our time with our students no matter how busy our schedule is. As much as possible we must talk about their personal issues, discussing with them the ways how they have navigated a difficult ethical situation in their own lives. This may lead them to become positive role models. Many adults don’t see themselves as moral and social works in progress. They see their qualities as set in stone.

— oOo— The author is Teacher III (Kindergarten) at Pineda–Gutierrez Elementary School