It's Cool To Be Kind!

Imagine walking to your car feeling defeated at the end of an exhausting and challenging workday, only to find a small post-it note on your windshield. The message "You are amazing. Thank you for all that you do!" instantly brought a smile to my face and renewed my sense of purpose. What a heartwarming and unexpected moment! It's amazing how a simple gesture, like a handwritten note, can have such a profound impact on our mood and perspective. The fact that it was in a child's handwriting adds an extra layer of sweetness to the experience. It's a reminder that kindness knows no age, and sometimes, it's the smallest acts that make the biggest difference.

It turns out that the note I received was part of a Friday enrichment group called "Random Acts of Kindness," which is led by Katie Elder, an elementary Dual Language teacher in Round Rock ISD. Through this group, students learn about the power of kindness and how it can brighten someone's day, just as it did mine. Throughout the semester, these students perform various acts of kindness, spreading positivity in our school community in diverse ways.

Kindness as a Daily Practice:

It is crucial to teach our students about kindness to create a positive classroom culture, particularly in a continuously changing demographic landscape. To ensure that all students feel appreciated and welcomed, we must incorporate Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) activities into our daily routines. By exploring both our similarities and differences, students can learn from one another and establish connections that will benefit them in the future.

Cristy Garza, a second-grade teacher of Dual Language in the Round Rock ISD, taught her students the importance of making connections by sharing information about their backgrounds and home countries. These activities helped her students to participate in meaningful conversations and build genuine relationships with each other. Kindness is a universal language that goes beyond cultural differences and language barriers. It appeals to our shared humanity and has the potential to create bridges between people, cultivating empathy and understanding.

Teaching students about kindness is not only beneficial for fostering a positive and supportive classroom environment but also for shaping their character and preparing them for a compassionate and empathetic future. Here are some recommended texts that can help instill the values of kindness and empathy in students.

Thank you for reading and engaging in our February blog!

We hope you find inspiration to implement similar ideas in your classroom. Let's make kindness a cool and conscious choice in our daily lives, recognizing that each small act has the potential to make a big difference.

Sincerely,

Michelle Silva, M. Ed.

Professional Learning Specialist

Espericueta Bilingual Educational Consultancy