In 2011 we dedicated the first Kindness Corner to my mom, Mrs. Johnetta Dolon.
For a while I was trying to figure out what would be something that could be dedicated in moms memory. So I thought about what was important to her. What my mom cherished most was family, friends and teaching and of course she had all 3 at Royerton. While I was going through some of her things one day I found a list of her classroom rules, they included the mop rules, being respectful of yourself and others, accepting responsibility for your choices, be truthful, always be willing to help others-- random acts of kindness and of course smile and make it a good day for everyone. Then it hit me, Unconditional Love's program It's Cool To Be Kind is about humane education, the positive effects of kindness with people and animals and how all things in life are connected.
More often than not when I would come to visit mom in her classroom I'd have one of my dogs with me. I remember one of the visits when Sophie was taking her time visiting each one of the kids. There was a boy who was specifically placed in moms room for a reason. When Sophie got to him she crawled up in his lap while he petted her, as he was petting her she gave him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled and giggled and started talking to Sophie and telling me about how pugs were his favorite dog and how he really wanted to have one. I remember after school let out mom told me about how she had never seen this boy really smile or talk to someone like he did when Sophie was in his lap.
Animals are an excellent ice breaker, kids can learn about them and from them. By teaching Humane Education and interacting with animals kids learn respect, responsibility, compassion and empathy. Humane Education turns kids into caring adults who will then be responsible for profound and positive changes in society.
