October is always a wonderful time of year in Northern Michigan. October is also Kindness and Anti-bullying Month. Bullying is pervasive, destructive, and occurs at all levels and ages in society. It appears the lack of connection due to digital interaction instead of personal interaction has taken this problem and made it so much worse. It seems we have grown not only accustomed to but proud of our ability to take out our frustrations on the people we live amongst every day.

There are days when I think that I don’t want to work in a field that deals with the public and the negativity becomes overwhelming. Like so many problems that exist today, there is an expectation that we should fix it at school. As educators, we continue to love and support students, all of them. We continue to educate them in reading, writing, and math but also to model behaviors of respect and kindness lacking in society. We won’t fix it at school until all of us work to fix it in society.

The 35 hours a week of school won’t outweigh 133 hours a week outside of school. Parents, neighbors, and community members must address the glaring lack of kindness that exists. When someone makes a mistake, will you scream and curse at them, when a business is short staffed will you abuse their staff for being unable to accommodate your wishes, will you jump on social media and trash their efforts or will you model grace and kindness?

After 24 years in education, I can tell you kids are watching and listening. They will treat others as they see us treat others. They will use the language they hear us use toward others. Kindness has never been more needed and it’s up to each of us to practice it.

LEE FITZPATRICK,

Alpena