Speaking Up

A student who has been behaving more honestly and responsibly since his arrival several months ago still struggles with the full meaning of accountability.  He abides by the rules himself but stops short of pushing others to do the same.  When he recently complained to staff that members of his kitchen crew were slacking off when there was work to be done, he was told, "Then it's up to you to say something."

It's not easy for a teenager (or for any of us) to do the "adult" thing, to put principles before personalities, to jeopardize our popularity with friends by voicing our dissatisfaction with their behavior.  But that's the other half of accountability: speaking up for what's right.  Students who learn to do so are not only building character but benefiting society at large.