I encourage social awareness in my classroom daily. I am constantly reminding, even to high school students, that kindness and manners matter. Treat others the way you'd want to be treated. If I hear a comment that may be unkind I ask that student if they think that was a nice thing to say and how they would feel if someone said that to them or someone they cared for. Most of the time the answer is no, it wasn't kind and an apology is given. I try to use each of these moments as teaching moments. I also try to remind when the moment arises that we are all different and unique which makes the world so beautiful, so embrace everyone's differences and accept them.
