Shanna Peoples of Amarillo, TX, is the teacher of the year.  In an interview on NPR, Peoples tells us that she did all she could  to enable her students to feel valued. She had three simple steps that she used.  Everyday and in every way that she could, she would use Kindness, understanding with her students. In this simple way, she fostered a “sense of belonging”. One reason she has been chosen to be the Teacher of the year is that these three values, kindness, understanding and creating a sense of belonging was not easy. Many of her students were refugees. Yet, Shanna Peoples was successful; SHE IS SUCCESSFUL!

Can you imagine how you would feel if your loved ones did this for you?  Can you imagine doing this for your loved ones?

How about doing it for your “less than loved ones”?  How about making a commitment to doing this on the first day of every month?  That is what I am going to do and on this first day of May, I can honestly tell you that this commitment has brought me such a sense of wellbeing that I may try to do it every Sunday or what if, we try to do it every day?

Our world would change  if only 10 of us did this.

See you on the street creating a sense of caring, understanding and fostering a sense of belonging.

Tomorrow: Can you imagine how this idea would have saved Freddy Gray’s life? Those policemen would not be facing murder charges, they would be up for awards like Shanna Peoples.