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This is a repeat because the first one came through with code that couldn't
be read. I guess I can not copy from Word. Delete now if not intereseted.

Someone posted a long list of things that teachers are supposed to do....it
ended with a statement that we are to do all of these things, but we are not
allowed to pray.

I think as we start off the new year, we could all offer a silent prayer in
the privacy of our own homes....because we really DO CARE about the children
we teach. I made a similar post during the summer, but not as many members
were "listening".

"In God We Trust"

"One nation UNDER GOD, with liberty and justice for all"

It is time our schools "put hope for the future back in the youth of our
children" (Bush has said this is a job for the churches and synagogues). All
children go to school, not all children go to church. Not all children are
getting this "hope" from their home life. Children need to believe "In GOD
we trust." It is not the job of the school to teach which religion to
choose, but to believe as even science believes that there probably is a
God. It is up to the individual and the family to choose the religion. We
need to teach respect for all world religions. Religion was very much a part
of both Republican and Democrat conventions.

My ancestors came to this country for Freedom of religion, not freedom from
religion. God has given man the choice of religion. All cultures have their
own way of worshipping God. The more we understand what those beliefs are,
the better able we are able to understand the people. Teaching beliefs is
part of our curriculum (it is in my curriculum guide as well as the social
studies curriculum).

We need to pray for education today. We need to pray for the future of the
children. We need to pray that people who are in education only for the
money -- get out of education. Education is not just a "business." For me,
it is not "Just a job." We need to try to make a difference for children
who feel that no one really cares about them. We need more people to go into
education because they feel they can make a difference. We need educators
who are willing to go the extra mile for a child. We need educators who do
not only think of themselves, but also think of the best interests of the
child. We need schools that develop a sense of community and work together.
"It takes a village to raise a child" (this is from an African Proverb).
Let us pray for the children who do not hear the words of hope on Sunday
mornings.

I know all of you feel you can make a difference! All of you worked off and
on all summer long to make your curriculum stronger, planning and sharing
ideas. Our influence will grow. This is the list that has shown me how the
REAL WORLD should behave. We need to teach children the RIGHT ways to behave
so they do not do the things that adults do to each other. Trust me, I do
know how people in the real world behave. I just choose to be different.
I do pray everyday for guidance. It has worked for me and it will work for
you.

Judith Decker

P.S. Here is a list member, Lawrence Parker, who also has some very
interesting ideas on Religion. I saved several of his e-mail to me. Write to
him if you need ideas on how to build character and teach values to your
students. He also has many good ideas on teaching critical thinking,
non-violence (coming to agreement without violence and hate) and tolerence.
Lawrence A. Parker [occti]

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