differences

Humans spend half of their lives figuring out how to fit in. Secretly, we all desire, no believe, that we are different. While on a cosmic level that is true, but universally we are more alike than we are different, as the findings from human genome projects discovered. Humans are 99.9% similar; our differences are genetically small. 

kids are different
Most children are not self aware. They have not lived long enough to observe the various impact that differences make on humans. Children “see” differences, but they have not lived long enough to apply a point system to those differences. Thus, children cannot “see” themselves with their uniquenesses as adults do. One reason those over 18 years of age enjoy watching a child is because children are unique, different. Children allow the .1% of their genetic make-up rule their world  Conversely, adults view differences in people through lenses clouded with prejudices, conformities, mores, and judgement. But they observe a child as nothing but a child.
at school
School is where students begin applying boundaries to place their peers in different categories. Those boundaries are learned through family interaction, by way of tradition media (TV), because of social media, and through observation. 

As much as we do not want to be like everybody else…we do not want to be that different.

I can’t wear any, old thing

Three boys were having a heated discussion about freedom. Actually, they were talking about the topic the teacher had prepared them to discuss, not some random issue that usually took their time. “You don’t have the freedom to choose the clothes you wear,” proposed Wes.

nobody likes to be told what they can’t do
“I do too choose my clothes,” countered William. “My mom doesn’t lay out what I’m going to wear the next day like she does you!”
“She gives me a say in what to wear,” defended Wes.
“No, she doesn’t. I’ve been to your house when she had your clothes put at the end of your bed,” added Vaughn.
Wes was irritated and didn’t wanted go up against two friends. Throwing up his hands he smirked, “Ya’ll don’t know what you’re talking about.”
freedom is hard to understand
Students who learned the stories of the American Revolutionary War in fifth grade never quiet understood freedom. When they encountered the principles and philosophies that guided our nation’s founding fathers, they did not  know the questions to ask to comprehend those ideals. So, when these fifth graders were paced through activities to broaden their understanding, they argued about what they knew.
After listening to the boys’ conversation, the teacher asked Wes, “Why do you think you don’t have a choice in what you wear to school?”
He had a ready answer. “Because we have a school dress code to follow. And I can’t wear any, old thing.”

The teacher smiled for two reasons. He saw the other two boys listening, and he knew that Wes was seeing the big picture of freedom.

teachers like hugs

Somewhere along public education’s path for protection of students, teachers were trained give-up hugging kids. Well, actually they weren’t given an alternative. Administrators, school attorneys, maybe a few parents and preachers said, “Don’t touch the children!” With caution, teachers have learned what is appropriate and what is not when it comes to physical contact.

okay hugs
Knowing what is okay is kind of intuitive, but it is also practical. It’s a twist on the “golden rule.” Do unto others as you would have them do unto you is hug a child as you would want a child hugging you! Think about it. Some children are native huggers. They have known hugging all their lives. After a day of knowing you, they wrap their arms around you every time they see you. Others are special occasion huggers. They squeal and show their emotions when something excites them. The I’ll-Hug-You-Back huggers wait for someone to initiate, and then they are all in. The one arm huggers want to give affection. They keep their bodies at a distance but manage to get an arm around you and pat you on the back.
what to do 
Most teachers love to hug kids! Being respectful of a kid’s personal space, teachers approach hugging children much like they approach each child’s learning…it’s individualized. Not every child wants a hug, some need several a day, others schedule this display of affection as part of their routine. One constant, however, is required…trust. Once trust is established the gap between no-hugging and hugging can be breached. Until then, forget it. Hugging would be an invasion of personal space.

In the world of education, hugging is akin to the three R’s. It’s fundamental to a teacher’s core curriculum, and it lasts.

(None of this applies to students and teachers of middle school or older. They have their own set of rules that only they understand!)

singled out

At school one of the third grade students has lice. The nurse didn’t find them from a head check. A teacher wasn’t the one who found them. A mom found nits in the head of her son. She sent a message to school.

the message
“I found nits in Joe’s hair last night. Not sure what to do. Maybe the nurse could do a random check. I don’t want Joe to be singled out. That kind of attention is not what he needs.” Thank you, Mom. Seriously, school teachers and staff wished all parents communicated such information.
After relaying the message to the school nurse. A visit to Joe’s class for a random check did, in fact, find nits in his hair. The nurse checked other heads and did not find anything.
what happened next
What happened next was public school being diligent to its public. The nurse talked to the parent and determined that Mom was taking every step necessary to rid her son of nits. She advised Joe’s mom to pick him up from school, which she did. Next, this health care servant emailed all teachers and explained that she would be scheduling routine lice-checking sessions. She added, “Be aware of the signs of lice invading your students’ heads,” and attached an internet link for The Signs of Lice.
not a big deal
In the lunchroom the teacher for Joe commented, “So, Joe has lice?” “And?” replied another. “And, all classes will have random lice checks,” the teacher replied. “I guess we needed that,” said the friend. 
Bigger-than-Texas issues worry teachers. Lice don’t. And that is a 21st Century reality.