“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
This is so true. Lately, I have been spending some time thinking about character and how that is applied in schools today. I know of a teacher who speaks in a manner that is so unprofessional to their colleagues, students, and even parents. I have during my career specifically heard this teacher say to a student “You are dead to me.” Even if you dislike the person, who makes it known in their professional career? And on top of that who says that to a student? How did this person even get a position in our classrooms? Character is a big part here. We are role models for students and if they see this then they think it is okay as well. Do we want a society filled with degrading people? If you have a good report with a student then making jabs back-and-forth does take place, but both parties know the other is kidding around and that they know where the line is drawn.
I make sure that when I am joking with students they know that I respect them, that we are not friends, and that there is a line and neither of us should cross it.