Takings and Teachable Moments

The headmaster at our children's school recently sent parents a message about teachable moments--those opportunities which present themselves, oftentimes unexpectedly, to address issues critical to a child’s education. Two separate moments were mentioned as teachable moments: the upcoming Presidential election and a recent theft of candy by some older students at the school.

The school has high standards and the children were disciplined in a manner consistent with values espoused in the Parent-Student Handbook, the written code of values for the school. The reason given for the punishment was the responsibility of the school staff as educators in partnership with parents to develop each student's moral character. Some adults thought the children were dealt with too harshly.

There were also recipients of the filched candy, so the headmaster's message also stressed the importance of listening to one's inner voice and not going along with the crowd.

I can imagine the reasoning of the children and those who thought what they had done wasn't a big issue--it was only candy, no one would miss it. The headmaster's point of view was that he was upholding the written code of values for the school, and by addressing a problem early, was helping prepare those students when they face bigger issues.

The Presidential election, with both of the major party candidates coming to the finish line is a bigger issue. Both the R and D candidates recently voted for a massive bailout expected to exceed a trillion dollars to subsidize a select group of individuals. At various rallies, sign-shaking supporters cheer as their candidate explains a plan to make their supporter's lives better at the expense of someone else. Each candidate has a plan to take someone's money and satisfy those he thinks more deserving. Is anyone's inner voice whispering to them yet?

Neither R nor D candidate, nor their supporters pay much attention to the US Constitution, a flawed, but written code of rules that's supposed to limit our federal government. Is there any wonder if the students who took that candy are morally confused?

Is there perhaps a teachable moment for adults in all of this?