Will you be a hero to a child who needs one?

After the teaching staff in her school were once again "warned" that each child must make a year's growth (for reading) based upon new "MAP" scores which seem to be unreliable, this Pennsylvania teacher couldn't remain silent.  The staff at her school is incredibly hard working and extremely exhausted.  So she wrote a letter to the Editor of the Herald Mail  asking "when will parents and students be held accountable too?"

How many of you make a conscious effort each day to make a positive contribution to our society?  How many go out of your way to show kindness to and concern for the children in our community?

As a teacher and citizen, I’m fed up with the direction of our society, country, especially the amount of children being raised in neglectful, abusive homes.  I’m disgusted by the lack of quality programming and quality role models for our children.

Children come into this world innocent, creative, open, with an innate desire to learn, love, and be loved.  Every child has potential that needs to be nurtured and developed consciously.  However, too many have their souls crushed by the adults in their lives and feel dejected, unwanted, & unappreciated.

Naturally, these children begin looking elsewhere for validation, self-esteem, encouragement, how to handle problems, and how to be an acceptable human being.  Unfortunately, where they’re looking doesn’t offer much.

Today’s world paints a picture of mediocrity, entitlement, and apathy.  It glorifies the wrong people and things.  People rarely make eye contact, smile, or make an effort to show kindness to a stranger.  No longer do our children have an abundance of quality role models to look up to, and it’s shameful.

Recently, our minister discussed the influence of Mr. Rogers, who is completely unknown by most children today.  He told of a boy, who was terribly abused by his parents, and how he watched Mr. Rogers Neighborhood daily.  When this child grew up he was asked what helped him overcome his childhood. He said that Mr. Rogers made him feel like he really was special to someone and that there were good people in the world.  He said that Mr. Rogers’ show gave him hope.  So, who in society/TV reaches children in the same manner as Mr. Rogers?

The American Psychiatric Association states “by age 18, youth will have seen 16,000 simulated murders and 200,000 acts of violence.” And “children spend more time watching television than any other activity, except sleep.”

I think of the recent shootings.  It’s not due to guns, but rather children growing up disconnected, desensitized, apathetic, not feeling special or valued, not being taught values, optimism, hope, etc.

It’s not solely up to churches and schools to teach character, proper behavior, and empathy.  It’s up to everyone.  Mr. Roger’s once said, “We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility.  It’s easy to say, “It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.”  Then there are those who see the need and respond.  I consider those people my heroes.”

Will YOU be one of those heroes?

Becky Grosskreutz
Pennsylvania