The Manners Heist

Recently, an elementary school teacher posted her frustrations on social media regarding the disrespect shown to teachers by students and their parents. Her brokenhearted rant went viral. Her post touched a nerve because she voiced what many teachers have been feeling for awhile now.

THERE HAS BEEN A MANNERS HEIST!

Manners have been "stolen" from our classrooms, homes, and society. We see the effect of this theft in every aspect of our daily life.
We see children who are disobedient, disrespectful, and entitled.
We see parents who are frustrated, at times rude, and genuinely at a loss on how to correct their child's behavior.

As a preschool teacher, I see the very beginning of this destructive behavior and do my best to correct it using teachable moments, humorous stories, and positive guidance. Three and four year old children are wonderfully receptive and teachable, if their parents will partner with you.
If not....
These children will struggle in elementary school. They will become the children who this frustrated teacher wrote about: destructive to school property, to personal property, neglectful of homework and assignments, and disrespectful.
These elementary children will become the high school students who walk out of class, have bad sportsmanship, and abuse their teachers for taking their cellphones.
These high school students will become the college students who destroy public property because they disagree with a speaker invited to their campus and who need play-dough, goat yoga, and safe cardboard boxes to deal with finals.

I know that I am being over-dramatic, but, tragically, this scenario is not too far fetched. The reason I can stay this with confidence is because the Bible predicted this behavior 2000+ years ago.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:1-3 (ESV):
In the last days, there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control...."

I don't need to continue because that pretty much describes what is happening in our homes, schools, and society. And, it is not just the unbelievers. It is sadly, believers, who profess to be Christian, who are described here. The Apostle Paul was warning Timothy that this behavior was going to be in the church! Paul told Timothy, people are going to love themselves more than they love GOD! That is the root of the problem.

Sometimes, as a teacher, you may think, "What can I do? This problem is bigger than I can handle." We can't change the world, that is God's job. Unfortunately, we can't even stop this trend. HOWEVER, we can mold, impact, and change the heart of one child at a time.

The Apostle Paul told us how:
You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness...continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God [every child you teach] may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:10-15 ESV

You may read this and think, "I don't work at a Christian school, I can't teach this." NO, you can't, however you can teach the Gold Rule - treat others as you would like to be treated. Have this rule posted in your classroom and review it with your students. Go over it at "Back to School" night with your parents, preparing them for the behavior you will be expecting in your classroom.

I recently wrote a children's book, The Manners Heist, in collaboration with my good friend, Deborah Delaney, who beautifully illustrated it. The story came to me one day at snack time, where the manners had completely disappeared from our preschoolers. They were demanding. No one was saying "please" or "thank you." And I just stopped in my tracks and started singing a little song:
Please and thank you
Please and thank you
Are our special words
If we don't say please and thank you Jesus heart is hurt. 

I told the children the story of The Ten Lepers who were healed by Jesus and only one came back to say thank you. This little song continues to be sung in our classroom almost on a daily basis because teaching manners is a concept that needs to be repeated and reinforced. Manners and the Gold Rule may be disappearing in other classrooms, but if I can help it, not in mine.

As seasoned preschool teachers, Deborah and I, have put our individual talent and heart into this little book. Our prayer is that it will be used in classrooms and homes to teach the importance of "please" and "thank you" and the Golden Rule. 

So, don't give up, teachers! We can make a difference, one child at a time. God has called us to be teachers for such a time as this. He doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Love,
Yolanda   

The Manners Heist can be ordered on Amazon at the following link. All book reviews on Amazon would be appreciated.
Link to order book: The Manners Heist

This book is lovingly dedicated to our good friend and fellow teacher, Miss Donna, who was filled with the joy of the LORD. Her infectious laughter and goodness impacted the lives of everyone she encountered. Until we see each other again, Donna, I will run the race with endurance. Save me a seat next to you at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. I love you!  






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