Encouraging Civic Engagement and Civility in Our Schools

As teachers and administrators, we must communicate a strong and fearless message regarding values such as honesty and treating others with civility and respect, especially to our students who we hope will grow up to become active and voting citizens. We can all observe the “log jam” in the Congress created by legislators and a President who do not engage cooperatively with one another. Compromise there appears to no longer be viewed in a positive way. 

Schools have an opportunity to teach students how to participate as citizens by engaging in something as simple as a letter writing campaign to local, state and nationally elected officials to express their concerns. Students ought to be encouraged to engage in civil discussions and debates about issues important to them that impact their community.

In advocating for civic engagement, students should be made aware of the Constitution and the rights they have to make their opinions known to state and local legislators, Congress and the White House. For example, the students from Parkland, Florida who experienced gun violence in their school, are vocal activists who continue to demand better gun control laws in this country. These young people were exposed to and exhibited a high level of how to use civility and civic engagement to express their agenda for change.

Now more than ever, it is extremely important  that all parents and educators model civility in their daily interactions with everyone. Listening skills become central to fostering respectful conversations, overcoming differences of opinion and reaching consensus on important issues. Also, being active citizens who participate in their communities helps youngsters learn the value of good citizenship.

Furthermore, student verbal communication, writing and reasoning skills will most certainly improve when civility is the cornerstone of how they respond to anyone and  any type of situation. When students use these skills, they are adopting the “Golden Rule” in their daily lives and it’s the foundation to becoming considerate and engaged citizens. Isn’t that what we want to instill in our children and practice ourselves?