Those in Charge

Those in charge do not have an easy row to hoe. More than likely, they have way more responsibilities than they should have to shoulder. Not only that, but those in charge usually start out with high hopes of how they want to change things, to make improvements, and change someone’s life, for the better. 

Then reality hits. They feel the strong current they are swimming against and being in charge loses its shine. Being in charge starts to wear them down making them wonder what made them think they wanted to be in charge in the first place.

I should know. I was once a public school teacher.

Long before I was a classroom teacher though, I had a teacher’s personality; a lover of learning, an encourager and adaptable to changes. It seemed natural that once my job of raising my sons was completed, I went back to school and became a certified teacher.

Every year, during the meet and greet the parents’ event before the school year began, parents and incoming students visited my classroom getting a feel for what it would be like to have me as their teacher. This allowed parents to tell me of their child’s “special needs.”

“Phil doesn’t get along with Bob, so could you make sure they don’t sit near each other?” 

“Kit has to use the bathroom ALOT. I hope you will let him.”

“Sue is very sensitive to noise and is a very poor test taker.” 

Being aware of the needs of my incoming students gave me a bird’s eye view of how I could accommodate them. 

Then, before the end of that first month of school, I’d call each parent asking for how they thought their child was getting along in school. Communication with parents was paramount with me.

But, undoubtedly, every year there was always one student, who no matter what I did, refused to comply with school protocols.

On the playground they’d curse at other students. Lining up for lunch, they’d cut in line, or step on someone’s heel. Other students would report how Burt, Bill or Beverly put paper towels in the toilet, flush and then watch as the toilet water ran over the rim. 

In the classroom they’d read their graphic novel instead of doing their assignments because they said the assignment was stupid. When passing by another student’s desk they’d drop a note on it declaring how ugly that student was. 

The one non-compliant student who refused to respect others wreaked havoc in the lives of not only their classmates and teacher, but throughout the whole school. 

That one non-compliant child could divide the whole population of a school because there were those who were “for” the non-compliant child and those who were “against” them. 

Even though I’d try to nip the trouble in the bud with phone calls and meetings with the parent(s) and my principal, the parent was just as non-compliant, but better versed with curse words and accusations. 

It is uncanny, but true, one disrespectful individual can divide a whole school, city or even nation. 

Why Bother?

Why bother respecting those in charge? Respecting them could have a powerful effect on a whole school, city or even nation.

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who need clarity when it comes to understanding forgiveness. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.