Creating “Golden Rule” Schools

Most of us may remember hearing about and being asked to follow the “Golden Rule” which is to treat others the way you want to be treated? All great religions and philosophies reference some version of the golden rule.

How a person looks and sounds should never matter. There are many well-dressed, well-spoken people found even in the highest levels of our government and businesses who display bad manners and arrogant attitudes. However, we should expect school communities to insist, require, and promote behaviors consistent with following the “Golden Rule”.

School leaders and staffs can create “Golden Rule” classrooms which will lead to a “Golden Rule” school when every classroom has been so identified as such.

Suggestions for being and becoming a “Golden Rule” Teacher or Principal:

• View and treat your students as if they were your own children.
• Incorporate the practice of seeking continuous improvement in student learning
• Remember that you are the peace-keepers and models of exemplary behavior and must act accordingly for all who observe you.

Suggestions for being or becoming a “Golden Rule” Student:

• If a teacher is speaking, then it is expected that you will listen politely.
• If you don’t understand something, raise your hand and when called upon, politely ask the teacher to repeat the directions as you were unable to hear or understand them the first time. You may have to patiently raise it a couple of times so that you can be acknowledged. Thank the teacher.
• If the teacher has asked for quiet but a classmate keeps asking you what to do, raise your hand and ask the teacher if you may later help the classmate needing assistance at the appropriate time.
• If you don’t have the answer to a question that a teacher may ask you, then politely say that you don’t know but you will take time later to try and find the answer.
• If a teacher has assigned you homework, find a good time and place to complete it neatly so that you can hand it in on time.
• If you are having any problems in the classroom or school, let your teacher or a trusted adult know. They really can help.

Suggestions for being a “Golden Rule” Parent:

• Model exemplary and courteous behavior all the time.
• Let your children know you are interested in them and want to help them do well in school and in their lives.
• Ask about their school day and compliment them when they deserve it and speak calmly to them when they need reminders about the right thing to do.
• Support your child’s school and staff in whatever ways you can.

If your child has told you about something upsetting that happened with the teacher:

• Be calm, listen carefully and take some notes if needed.
• Keep in mind that your child does not want to disappoint you and may not include all the details you may need to understand the entire situation.
• Make an appointment with the teacher to respectfully listen to that side of the story. If you feel the need for help in calmly resolving this situation, do include the principal.
• Cooperation with those adults entrusted to teach your child will encourage clarity and a secure feeling to any issue or situation needing to be resolved well.

Following the “Golden Rule” will help us to relax, enjoy our work together, and be able to respectfully express what needs to be said among each other. Trust among everyone should grow and classrooms and schools can be on their way to being recognized as “Golden Rule” classrooms and then “Golden Rule” schools by authority figures such as the principal, superintendent, school board, business associations, civic organizations, and elected officials as examples of awarding entities. They will need to work with school officials on the specific criteria to be used for earning such an award. Everyone in the community needs to take pride in the work of promoting the “Rule” and sharing observations about the school. The school and its wider community will benefit from having “Golden Rule” Schools in their areas and neighborhoods.