Where is God in our schools?

    
...Okay, so I entered this in the discussion board on Topic 1 about exclusion of students. It is a problem in schools. Yet, I also know it's a bigger problem after school. Living in other countries growing up gave me a broad perspective of people and cultures. My family encouraged my sister and me to accept, respect, love, embrace, and view ANYONE different. Our home had a value system that encouraged peace. Once again, schools are taking on another task and being blamed for not correcting the problem. Where is God in our schools? If the basic Commandments were allowed to be referred to can you imagine the impact on our schools and society? We need to teach love...      
      An individual’s identity provides a relationship to the world. People create their own survival patterns when choosing groups. Some people choose to remain in their comfort zone. They may choose to only associate with others of their race, gender, social category, academic status, and nationality. Identity development is important in all people; especially children. Self-esteem, well-being, and adjustment to environments are a few areas influenced by one’s perceived identity. Educators are not only responsible for the minds of their students. The educational system should promote self-worth. I believe that when students think they have a purpose, they pursue positive relationships. Bullying, drop-out rates, and poor attendance are problems schools could eliminate if campuses were welcoming and successful for “all who enter”. However, that is not the case. Accountability has caused leaders to view students as products. Their emotional needs are hardly considered in comparison to their academic needs.
      I think educators have such big hearts and sincerely care about people. The system swallows them up and squeezes out hopes and dreams of “making a difference in someone’s life” because so many good intentions were mandated before careful research. Inclusion seemed like an ethical idea. All children can learn and need to have the same experiences. It sure sounds great. If it keeps certain groups from being neglected, then more power to it. However, there is an imbalance. Policy makers keep administering Band-Aids…
      Teachers can best address expolitation and exclusion through professional development on the nature and needs of all students, valuing differences, and accepting challenges another culture or variable a student may present. ADMINISTRATORS NEED TO SPREAD THE LOVE. OFTEN, ONE OR TWO MORE EXPERIENCED OR NEW TEACHERS ARE SADDLED WITH THE "NOT-SO-LOVEABLE" STUDENTS. THE IMBALANCE WITHIN ELEMENTARY POPULATIONS IS A TRAVESTY. WHEN EACH TEACHER IS TREATED FAIRLY, THE STUDENTS WILL BE, TOO...THE EXPLOITATION AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION STARTS AT THE TOP.