Think about it. Think about it in light of what we discussed yesterday. If character education is done correctly, using a good character education program, and modeled by a teacher who makes it a passionate, purposeful priority, character education works an enormous change in teenagers. It changes the heart, and that’s a wonderful gift for Valentine’s Day.
A change of heart. That is a spectacular valentine to give a teenager.
“I don’t give my teenager valentines,” you may say. We think you should consider it. Teenagers certainly think about Valentine’s Day. They also, quite often, think that people don’t care about them. A valentine from parents, teacher, grandparent, or other caring person in a teen’s life can go a long way toward showing that you do care for them.
Last week, I was listing a few ideas for being kind to teenagers. My own teens long ago graduated to adulthood, and I am no longer a high school principal, but I wanted to help others benefit from what I learned. Some of the things I learned would make wonderful valentines.
I learned that teenagers respond to personal interest. They respond to silly cards or an edible treat. They respond to surprise e-mail saying, “Just wanted to tell you that I’m thinking kind thoughts of you.” They love to have you join a water fight! (Warning: a high school boy poured an entire bucket of water over my head when I was principal.) Find out what your teenagers’ favorite books were when they were children. Give each a copy of the book – or borrow it from the library. Send a teenager a thank you note. You can usually find something to appreciate, and your note will be a great morale booster, even if they pretend it isn’t.
All of these ideas teach and model character – your character – and you want to be a good model. You want other models, too, for character education. Why not enlist Valeta for Valentine’s Day? She’s a very believable teenager, and her story is based on the dramatic, real life experience of a teenager I knew. The book is a romance, but not a typical romance novel, even though it did become #1 best teen romance novel. There’s nothing steamy, but teens love it, and can’t put it down. From the first sentence, “You always remember your first kiss,” girls want to continue reading. Wrapped in red paper and a bow, this would make a memorable valentine for any teenager, and would be a means of character education at the same time.
R. Conrad, a North Carolina cheerleader captain, wrote: “I just wanted to write you and thank you for the book. I loved it!! I just couldn’t put it down! I read it in about 3 days. It was so good, and it was full of adventure and drama. I love those kinds of books.”
M. Everett, a Texas mother, wrote: “This story will keep the reader riveted while Hamilton gently, and without preaching, offers subtle advice on … the main theme of responsibility in all areas of one’s life.”
Whether you use some of my ideas or not, I hope you will order Valeta now – early – to be sure you are ready to turn Valentine’s Day into a heart-changing day with character education. It makes a great valentine.
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?