Commentary: Invest in children by being a good role model

As a former elementary teacher of 20 years, I’ve seen my share of bullying.

We knew the statistics. We knew that the majority of children are victims of bullying at some point in their 12 years of school. We knew that it could take the form of physical, psychological or social trauma.

This was before cyberbullying reared its ugly head. We knew it could cause depression, anxiety and anger, which often followed the abused well into their adult years.

I taught in a Maryland school located in a fairly affluent neighborhood. Children from the outlying areas were permitted to attend, making it a very diverse school, ethnically, economically and socially.

We, as teachers, knew that this could be a hot button for bullying and taunting, so we took every opportunity to discourage it. We continually emphasized that diversity and uniqueness makes for a more interesting and successful society.

The final question of the second presidential debate asked each candidate to find one positive thing to say about one another. Miraculously, they did. It reminded me of a self-esteem activity that I did with my students every year.

About a month into the school year, I had each child write his or her name at the top of a sheet of paper. As the papers were passed around the room, each child was asked to write one thing they admired about each other student.

By the end of the activity, each pupil had a list of 30 positive comments written by his classmates. I watched, as each child read the list to himself. Their smiles told the whole story, as they beamed with pride. I suggested that they keep this paper handy for the rest of the school year, and to look at it periodically. (I often felt that an activity like this might be beneficial to do as a family.)

It breaks my heart to see such negativity coming out of this dysfunctional presidential race. They are emphasizing intolerance of one another, suspicion and name-calling.

If we want to “Make America great again,” we need to invest in our children by being good role models. We need to emphasize acceptance, patience and love for one’s fellow man. Above all, we need to find reasons to live together peacefully in a very diverse world.

TERRI GOLDSTEIN lives in Newport Coast.