In 2000, the movie Pay It Forward was released. In essence, this movie describes a middle school social studies teacher (Kevin Spacey) who challenges his students to make a difference in the world. One student embraces this assignment, and develops a system to change the world through kindness. He does three kind things for others and asks them to "pay it forward" so that the acts of kindness exponentially grow. While the movie is "ancient" (made before many of your students were born), the concept is timeless. Consider using this movie and concept to encourage kindness ... it will change your school climate.Every school's climate can improve. and some schools' climate must improve. Recent research should inspire all educators to focus on school climate for student success.
In the November 2016 edition of the Review of Educational Research, a study by Berkowitz, Moore, Astor, and Benbenishty found that school climate has a significant impact on student success.
- Resource: A Research Synthesis of the Associations Between Socioeconomic Background, Inequality, School Climate and Academic Achievement
- NPR's Summary: How a Happy School Can Help Students Succeed
Trying to improve a school climate is a daunting task, and many attempts to do so have failed. However, utilizing kindness may be the golden ticket to improve a school's culture.
Most of the time a school's climate just evolves (or devolves) over time without intention. While a school's ethos is shaped by what the administration and staff decide to emphasize (i.e. commit resources toward), rarely does this happen intentionally. Some schools emphasize academics, some emphasize the fine arts or athletics, and others emphasize more of the "soft skills," like interpersonal communication, relationships, strengths, and spirituality; these areas of emphasis help to shape the school's climate. Regardless of the type of culture at your school, it can be improved through emphasizing kindness.
Kindness Improves Everyone (giver, receiver, observer)
Research demonstrates that acts of kindness boost three important chemicals in our bodies: Serotonin, Endorphin, and Oxytocin. Serotonin is a chemical that regulates our moods, and low Serotonin causes depression (anti-depressant drugs boost Serotonin); it is the first happiness chemical. The second, Endorphin, is the chemical most commonly associated with the high that we feel after we exercise, and it is the cause of the "helper's high" that we feel when we do something nice for someone else. The third happiness chemical is Oxytocin, also called the "hug hormone" because it causes the positive feeling when we hug, kiss, cuddle someone that we love. Wow ... that's a pretty potent chemical cocktail. The amazing thing is that these are all released through acts of kindness.
- Resource: The Science of Kindness (video)
We all know how good it feels to be on the receiving end of a gift, and we also know how good it feels to be the giver (after all, "it is better to give than to receive"). So it makes sense that these happiness chemicals increase for the giver and the receiver; what is so surprising is that the research indicates that these same chemicals increase for the observer also. When we see an act of kindness, it also makes us feel happy.
I had always thought that an anonymous act of kindness is somehow better than one done in front of a bunch of people. However, if observers can be positively impacted, then acts of kindness should be public, shared with others as a gift of happiness. This is especially true if we want to impact a school's climate; others need to see these acts of kindness, and we need to celebrate/promote these actions. If we do that, everyone benefits.
Kindness is Contagious
Promoting acts of kindness will help everyone feel good, but it will also begin to impact a school's climate because kindness is contagious. If someone does something nice for me, I want to do something nice for others.
- Check out this "kindness is contagious" video from Life Vest.
When one person does something nice, it can lead to others doing nice things. This "pay it forward" kindness can grow exponentially and truly impact a school's climate.
Getting Started
1. Start Small ... with Lollipop Moments
We often think that to make a big change we must do a big thing; this is not the case with changing a school climate. Start by doing small acts of kindness. It is amazing how handing out lollipops (or Otter Pops) changes someone's demeanor and can even change their life.
- Check out this Ted Talk from Drew Dudley on Lollipop Moments.
What small thing can you do to make someone smile tomorrow? Remember, it will positively impact you, the receiver, and others observing you.
2. Be Intentional ... not Random
The popular phrase is "random acts of kindness," but let me encourage you to be intentional rather than random, especially if you are going to change your school climate. Changing the school's climate in the right direction requires an intentional plan and a consistent implementation. Changing something as big as a school's culture takes time and a focused effort.
3. Start with Students ... not the Principal
Changing a school's climate should start with the students ... truly a grass roots movement. When a principal (like me) suggests acts of kindness, it sounds a lot like community service, which sounds a lot like detention ... so start with students. This is a great opportunity for student council or National Honors Society or a club; teachers can encourage and principals can support, promote, and celebrate, but it should come from students.
4. Promote It
We know that when others observe acts of kindness, it improves their happiness and inspires them to "pay it forward." Share what your school is doing on social media, through your school newsletters, and by shouting it from the rooftops. Also, participate in the Great Kindness Challenge on January 23-27, 2017 (greatkindnesschallenge.org).
Examples of School Kindness
SWAG (service with a grin) -- a few years ago a group of students came to me with a proposal for ways that students could serve during their study halls; they called it SWAG -- Service With A Grin. They created a Google document, shared with every staff member so that they could enter any tasks that they needed to be completed ... it included emptying trashcans, setting up a science lab, sweeping the gym floor, and updating bulletin boards. Students were able to view the document and could complete tasks if they had available time during their study halls.
Cleaning Lunch Tables -- Every school has a cafeteria with an employee tasked with cleaning tables. Our middle school students take on that job to "be a blessing" to those working in our food service. Each week a cleaning team, with spray bottles and rags in hand, wipe down the tables to get the cafeteria ready for the next group of students.
Welcome Committee -- So many students struggle to get going in the morning and are less than thrilled to be arriving at school. Why not have a welcoming committee to greet them, hold the door, and say "good morning" with a smile ... maybe even hand them a lollipop.
These are just a few ideas of ways to spread kindness at school. What does your school do? How do you promote kindness at school?
"It
is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay.
Small acts of kindness and love." -J.R.R.
Tolkien
Small acts of kindness and love is something we need more in our schools and in our country.
More Kindness Resources can be found at
- Life Vest -- www.lifevestinside.com
- How Full is Your Bucket -- strengths.gallup.com/114079/Full-Bucket.aspx
This was originally a presentation at the LEAD conference in Denver 11/12/2016 (www.leadconferences.org).
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