District Administrator's Corner

by Loren Glasbrenner River Valley School District Administrator Children Learn What They Live - by Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. If children live with hostility, they learn to fight. If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive. If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves. If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy. If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy. If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty. If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence. If children live with tolerance, they learn patience. If children live with praise, they learn appreciation. If children live with acceptance, they learn to love. If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves. If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal. If children live with sharing, they learn generosity. If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness. If children live with fairness, they learn justice. If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect. If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them. If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live. The underlying message in this poem is to be careful with your words and actions as an adult— “children will listen” (S. Sondheim, Into the Woods).  Humans are imperfect. Yet, we must learn from our experiences and grow. Imagine a carpenter refusing to try new products, a farmer refusing to understand crop rotation, a physician refusing to read new research, or an artist refusing to be inspired.  Society develops with and due to the participants in it.  Adapting to new challenges is how we develop.  “In such a world, the ability to think creatively, to imagine novel solutions to survival is a major asset” (N. Massey, Scientific American).  As a species, we have adapted.  The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged our society and provided ample opportunities for creative thinking and adaptation.  We have persevered.  We have grown. In River Valley, there are rich traditions passed at school and with families, which builds an identity.  The identity is complex and will be remembered by the children.  As a father, an educator, and a community member, I contribute to this and take it seriously.  I am aware of my responsibility.  One of the lessons we teach (often without purpose) is “we are what we value.”  The River Valley School District values the complexity of our community and the rich differences; we believe in being proactive, strategic and non-partisan in order to build an inclusive climate.  But to be inclusive, we have to first recognize that we are unabashedly different and respect each other.  If we start with respect, “children will listen.”