“[Kids] don’t remember what you try to teach them.
They remember what you are.”
Jim Henson
As any educator worth their salts will tell you…
No…
wait….
let’s not make this just a teacher thing…
As any person who has ever worked with young people, will tell you…
a visible and physical lesson will go further in making a profound impression
and lasting remembrance than any lecture, paper or book.
Currently it appears as if there are many of us who are dumbfounded, flummoxed, sad
and down right angry as to the widespread level of disrespect currently rippling though
this country as far as our flag, our national anthem, the office of the president,
etc, etc, etc…
are each concerned.
“Why don’t they get it???!!”
we shout at the television when each new “protest” is broadcast.
Well today I saw a teachable moment about this very issue that should be shared.
My husband and I had gone to Home Depot in search of some sort of downspout
water thing…
There we were in the cavernous building,
wandering far off to some lone aisle searching deep within the bowels
of all things home improvement…
my husband seeking as I wandered behind a few steps pondering
if I should go find some plants that might need a new home….
when I was jolted back to the current moment as I heard
the alert on my phone informing me that I had
just received an email.
It was one of those forward things from my cousin.
Some of those things are interesting and good,
while some of those are utterly stupid or trash.
Curious, I clicked on it.
A couple of moments in,
I hollered out to my husband to halt in his tracks and come look at this.
There we stood, the two of us alone on a mostly forgotten aisle,
in a massive home improvement store,
on a Sunday afternoon,
staring at my phone with tears now streaming down our faces….
For you see…in this forwarded video clip we see a coach who is living and teaching
by example to each one of his players…
He offers a profound teaching moment to a group of young men as to why they are to
spend those early 2 minutes prior to each of their ball games giving their flag, their
National Anthem and their Country their full attention and respect….
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
As a former educator, I can totally relate. Our example, like those of parents, are so extremely important for setting the tone. We can complain all we want about negative attitudes from kids, but we must remember that those attitudes are also learned. Love you, Julie.
Such wisdom! We must always be vigilant about our own behaviour and attitudes because we can have a great influence. Blessings on your day!
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Now I’m crying too. I am forwarding this to my girl scouts to watch as we are headed into cookie season and I have advocated for a military goal of selling as many military boxes as we can. Thank you Julie, love you
Ahhh Girl Scout cookies 🍪–a true indulgence 😊
😁😁😁
Ahhhhh…how wonderful.
“[Kids] don’t remember what you try to teach them.
They remember what you are.”
Isn’t that a terrifying quote? LOL, I remember being quite rattled when I realized the kids weren’t really going to listen to my words, but rather who I was and how I behaved in the world. That “do as I say, not as I do” thing doesn’t work. They really do learn what they live,what they see others around them living.
yep…and sadly the living all around them isn’t the best sort of living 😉
Well, how refreshing it is to know that somebody still gets it!!! Great and timely post, missy! Love, N 🙂 ❤
Powerful video. Powerful example of being an example is what people will remember.
It really is an amazing testament of this coach and of his concern for his players… that under his watch, they will learn first hand what demonstrating respect is all about and why it is important…that of the price paid by others in order for them just to be able to simply play a game…
A great example to anyone who works with young people