Having a Set of Values

Picture: www.coxwood.com

Today I saw a tweet with a link to a post by Frank Sonnenberg, who is a thought leader I follow on Twitter
His post " Times May Change, But Your Core Values Don’t" gives a very detailed list of the core values we need to have at all times. As I looked at the post and tried to cut and paste a few to highlight they are all worthwhile, so I encourage you to read the post.

I think too often we get caught up in the "curriculum" which is important or at times teaching to the test and we tend to focus on the academic end of things. However, today more and more research shows that we need to incorporate the social and emotional well being besides just focusing on the academics. We can't truly teach innovation, creativity, collaboration, digital citizenship without addressing and dealing with values.

My teaching experience has always been in Jewish Day Schools, where for obvious reasons values play a large role. I often told my students people on the street won't ask you what novel you are reading or what were the causes of the Civil War, but they will see and judge you by the way you act.

There are countless stories I could tell to show this on both from a positive standpoint and, unfortunately from a negative one as well.

As we plan for the new school year and prepare exciting and challenging academic lessons let us not lose sight of our values and the values we want and must instill in our students.

OK,  I gave in here is Frank's partial list:

See the good in everything.
Make him or her feel special.
Never stop learning.
Keep your promises.
Do right by others.
Be a loyal friend.
Appreciate what you have.
Be humble.
Challenge yourself.
Practice what you preach.
Reach for the stars.
Be dependable and reliable.
Give of yourself.
Be courageous.
Work hard, work smart
Tell the truth.
Accept responsibility
Show compassion.
Do the right thing.
Be strong.
Meet others halfway.
Play nice.
Have faith
Forgive and forget.
Be fair.
Lend a hand.
Keep an open mind.
Give thanks.
Don’t quit.
Be kind.
Bring out the best in others.
Show respect.
Show you care.
Give it one more try.
Believe in yourself
Be yourself.
Do your best.
Make a difference.
Listen to your conscience.