With everything educators are responsible for, is there time to teach kindness?
It’s a fair question. We know that teachers, administrators, and school staff are stretched thin. We know kindness initiatives are often seen as “extra” or “one more thing” on an already full plate.
The truth is, as educators, kindness is one of the most powerful tools we possess. Likewise, as humans, our ability to be kind is linked to our happiness and success. But don’t take our word for it! We selected three challenges facing school communities right now and looked for evidence to see if kindness could truly make a difference.
Ready to get started?
Review the following resources.
![Live Webinar Image](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/VADOE/2023/01/7014786/4527016/j-4_crop.png) |
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Katie Gaylord, High School Counseling Director, York County and Sarah Bazemore, School Counseling Specialist, VDOE will share free resources and fresh ideas for promoting and celebrating kindness! The webinar will be recorded and shared with all those that have registered.
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Keep Families Informed
Sharing information about Kindness Week with families and community leaders will extend this important work outside the school building and into the community. We suggest utilizing the Kindness Week Flyer (PDF) for such promotion purposes.
![Kindness Challenge Accepted Image](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/VADOE/2023/01/7014788/4527017/va-kindness-challenge-accepted_crop.png) |
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Take part in our Virginia Kindness Challenge
Students, staff, and community members are encouraged to participate in Virginia Kindness Challenge.
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Recognize an Ambassador of Kindness
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their kindness? Take the time to recognize them publicly as a Virginia Ambassador of Kindness. Print the Ambassador of Kindness poster, present it to the student, educator, or community member you wish to recognize. Then take their photo holding the poster for a bulletin board, your school’s website, and/or a social media posting (#VAKindnessAmbassador).
Promote Discussions on Kindness
![I can show kindness by](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/VADOE/2023/01/7014811/4527020/i-can-show-kindness-thumbnail_crop.png) |
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One way to participate in VA Kindness Week is to promote discussions around why and how we can “care” about kindness. Use the “I can show kindness by” and “Kindness matters because…” posters to promote discussions around kindness and recognize ways we can be kind. Encourage participation in this discussion by sharing responses via visual displays, slide shows, social media (#VirginiaisforKindness), etc. |
![Kindness Week T-Shirt](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/VADOE/2023/01/7014856/kindness-t-shirt_original.png) |
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In honor of the Great Kindness Challenge (January 23-27, 2023) and Virginia Kindness Week (February 12-18, 2023), we are proud to announce the third annual Virginia is for Kindness T-Shirt Sale. We hope this shirt serves as a friendly reminder to look for the good and to never pass up an opportunity to show kindness.
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This year all proceeds raised by the #VAisforKindness t-shirt campaign will go towards supporting the efforts of school counselors in Newport News Virginia as they help their community heal after a tragic school shooting on January 6, 2023.
Let's show that Virginia is for Kindness!
A few more resources…
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