Focusing on love in schools could prove to be just the ticket

Published 10:35 am Thursday, December 5, 2019

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When we hit a slow news week here at the Journal, I find myself scrolling through social media platforms and looking at everything organizations, businesses and residents are posting in an attempt to bring something new and different to the newspaper. A few weeks back was no exception, and I stumbled across someone who is pushing to make a difference in surrounding school districts by focusing on three main areas. Work life harmony, making relationships urgent and bringing a great energy attitude into the school district.
This movement is called Ignite, #loveinschools, and will be featured in the next edition of The Jessamine Journal. However, the idea is so powerful I couldn’t wait to share it with you all and so took to my weekly column seven days earlier than normal to get the conversation rolling on what I believe to be an amazing movement that I hope catches on everywhere.
At the forefront of this campaign is Joell Katte. A former principal and a current teacher in Kentucky who believes that many things can and will change in the school system, such as referrals to the office to even the safety of staff and students, if students and staff embrace the idea of self-care and making one another feel accepted. Saying a movement like this can stop horrific things we still face in our nation, such as school shootings, is a long shot for some, but it’s a start. And a good one at that.
Katte, although from Lexington, has brought his teachings to Jessamine County Schools. The idea that if we make our schools and those in them feel safe thus cutting down on misbehavior could seem a long shot, although it is proven that when people feel loved, secure, accepted, the likely hood of them acting out is very minimal compared to those who feel the opposite. If we want our schools to be a safe place for our students to go, and if we want to model the right kind of behavior for children to see and learn from considering how to treat others, I believe it starts by first being a model ourselves and loving, accepting and helping each other feel secure no matter what.
The old saying “treat others like you would want to be treated” goes a long way. I feel this is something that we have lost sight of in today’s society. In a world that runs faster than most of us can keep up with , it’s easy to get lost in ourselves and forget the way we treat others as we hurry along to our next task. Especially this time of year.
Slowing down, taking time for ourselves so we can better model and set an example of how to treat others seems like such an old idea. But, there is a saying that goes “you can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first,” and I firmly believe that.
Katte is on the right track, as far as I am concerned. I hope to see more of this type of movement sweep the country in the future and continue to make a difference in the lives of all involved.

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