Disposition

Disposition is everything. How we treat others, how we interact with others, is of prime importance. I completed much research on the subject of happiness for our school district Wellness Program; the overarching message was that happiness comes from our own, internal perception. If we perceive that our life is stressful, that we are overwhelmed with problems beyond our control, we will be unhappy. This is true regardless of reality. You and I could be in the same exact environmental situation, say we are both stranded in the middle of a vast desert. I could be unhappy, ornery, aggravated, worried. You could be walking right next to me happy, excited to be on an adventure, enjoying nature, having faith that we will be found, or just be having fun surviving. Happiness and our disposition in general, is a choice.

By the same token, our approach to interacting with others is our choice. Teachers and administrators must have a disposition of kindness, patience, and understanding. We must ask students to “admit” that they don’t understand some curricular area, and be open to accepting instruction. This is not only true for academics, but even more applicable in the realm of behavior. We in essence are asking people to change; to grow, and to see a reason for this growth and change.

We ask parents to discipline and instruct students at home that have a problem with hitting other students. We ask teachers to speak kindly to parents and not to foist their viewpoint – even if they know it’s the correct path to take! We ask administrators to prompt teachers to be caring, vigilant instructors. We ask for change. Shouldn’t we ask in a kind and caring way?