Respect

 Like so many others from my generation, I remember where I was on September 11, 2001.  It was actually my first year in teaching.  I taught Algebra 1 first block at Airline High School in Bossier City, LA.  The truth is I didn't know anything had happened until another teacher came into my room and told me.  And then, there was silence.  We didn't learn a whole lot about Algebra the rest of the day.  It was too surreal.  President Bush, who was in Florida when it happened, left and came to Barksdale Air Force Base about 5 miles down the road from Airline.  The rest of the day Air Force jets crossed the skies above us to keep the President safe.  The whole scene was surreal.

While we didn't learn much about math that day, many of my students got a lesson in heroism.  They saw and heard from first responders that were on the scene in New York and Washington D.C.  They heard the stories of people enlisting in the Armed Forces to help combat terrorism.  In so many ways, the actions of a few on 9/11 changed the course of history for many of our young people.  I think though that the major change we saw was an enormous amount of respect for the members of our military and first responders.  We all got to witness their courage and bravery.  We saw them risk life and limb to help people and to ensure the freedoms that so many of us take for granted.  

Respect is a key tenant still in 2022.  We talk about daily with our kids.  How we treat each other, the choices that we make, can either build each other up or tear each other down.  We talk about speaking life.  We have to choose respect.  But respect is also more than just our words.  We show it with our body language, with our actions and even our intentions.  There are so many things that go into showing respect and that is why it is a choice.  We have to be intentional about showing each other respect.  And the great thing about showing respect, is that is doesn't cost a thing.      

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