The Importance of Kindness & Civility
High school can be a challenging environment for any student. For a neurodiverse young person, it can present complex social and emotional hurdles that can become increasingly difficult in the approach to adulthood. Kindness plays a critical role in fostering an inclusive atmosphere where students can thrive. However, social acceptance, tolerance for differences, and respect for individuality are at times challenging to find in high school. Our students often struggle with social nuances, interpreting complex social dynamics, or understanding unwritten rules of communication. Acts of kindness, like offering a helping hand or simply being patient, can make an enormous difference in making them feel welcomed and accepted. This compassion encourages confidence and fosters positive peer relationships, helping them navigate the complexities of high school and adolescence.
Civility is regularly discussed as a critical component of communication, public discourse, and healthy relationships. Civility is equally important to kindness, as it sets the tone for respectful interactions and ensures that differences are acknowledged, not judged. Our students face challenges with expressing their thoughts and feelings and at times they need more time to process conversations. Our efforts to teach students to approach one another with respect and consideration helps reduce the potential for misunderstandings and helps build an environment where diversity is celebrated rather than marginalized. Civil discourse is foundational to making progress in school, social life on campus, and every day in our community.
In recent years, social media and news have become powerful forces shaping the way people interact and perceive one another. While these platforms can foster connection and awareness, they can also negatively impact civility and kindness in our culture. Social media, in particular, allows for instantaneous communication, but this speed often comes at the expense of thoughtful dialogue. The anonymity and distance created by the digital world can embolden people to engage in negative behavior, such as bullying, trolling, or spreading misinformation, which contributes to a decline in civil discourse. As educators, we have a duty, however difficult it may be, to continuously foster kindness and civility among our students.
This Fall, I continue to ponder how kindness and civility not only benefit our students personally but also enhance our school as well as our local community. When students learn to be empathetic and civil, they create a positive ripple effect that influences how they engage with others throughout their lives. Kindness and civility promote inclusivity and teach essential life skills, such as understanding and accepting different perspectives, which are critical in today’s increasingly diverse society. By practicing these values our students contribute to school culture while also fostering healthy relationships with their families, friends, and everyone they interact with now and in the future. Join us in spreading kindness this Fall!
Brandon Moffitt, LCMHC, Executive Director
