The difference one person can make

Despite the current environment of contentious politics, teachers can still make a significant difference in the kind of voters and citizens who will make the decisions of tomorrow.

Kevin Brown, executive director of the Texas Association of School Administrators, recently wrote about his experience as a first-time voter, and about the teacher he still thinks about when he considers the difference one person can make. 

We had class debates in which we had to take a position and argue it with another student on the opposite side. In those debates Mr. Nicola emphasized civil discourse and respect for one another,” Brown wrote. “After we debated one way, we had to take the opposite viewpoint and argue that as well. It put us in the uncomfortable but important position of understanding other perspectives. We were learning how to engage in civil dialogue and discourse.”

While Brown wondered at how Mr. Nicola might be disturbed by the current political climate and the disdain each side often has for the other, he reflected on the lessons he learned, and that students coming up today might still learn.

“I am trying to model what he taught. Engage in democracy, understand both sides, be civil in discourse, vote, and practice humility if my candidates win and graciousness if they lose,” Brown wrote. “I encourage others to do the same.”