The May 2009 issue of Educational Leadership, published by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), focuses on teaching social responsibility. I have only begun to read the issue, but I believe the purpose of this issue is to raise awareness for the need to overtly teach, as part of the curriculum, the next generation (and every subsequent generation) to be socially responsible citizens.
I had not read for very long before I began to think about what teachers covertly do to teach social responsibility. I remember very well, even as my graduating class gets ready to celebrate its 20th reunion, those teachers from elementary through graduate school that taught me more than mathematics, English, and science. Many educators teach social responsibility by caring deeply for their students, their struggles, and their successes. Many others teach social responsibility by taking the time to talk about issues beyond the curriculum.
As I continue to read the articles in Educational Leadership I have no doubt that I will find much to agree with. I will leave to others, and to God, to judge whether I live my life in a socially responsible way. However, I know that that I want to live a life of conscience and responsibility. So, I will continue to work on it everyday – to live a life that has a positive impact on those around me.