Do As I Say.....

The auditorium was alive with sound. Papers were rustling, people were talking, some on cell phones while others unwrapped or disposed of their food. We had all gathered to attend an annual conference targeting pre-school and elementary teachers and child care providers. We came together on a Saturday to learn, to consider new practices and to connect with each other.  As teachers we are charged with providing excellent care for children in both loving and educational environments while modeling appropriate social behaviors. We are in charge of honing the social skills of the little sponges in our care, and it is a golden opportunity for us to keep trying to get it right. My contention is that you can't teach what you don't know. Lots of people teach what they don't practice, but the kids know you don't do what you are asking them to do.  Why should they do it? After all, you don't.  What I witnessed was a woman on her cell phone in the classroom while the facilitator was facilitating. Some people were talking non-stop throughout the session and some were napping. The nappers aren't so bad; they don't disturb anyone as long as they don't snore. When the auditorium emptied out at the end of the session, there were empty bottles in the aisles and trash on the floor. These are the adults that are teaching our children to be considerate, empathetic and polite. I am terrified. Many of the teachers present were pushy, rude and just generally not in possession of the sort of "good doobie" behavior we all know is so darned important for children to grasp early on. Like I said: "you can't teach it if you don't know it."