In The Principal's Office (Discipline With A Smile)

I laid out an array of wooden objects on the table by my desk.

“You get to pick.”

Robert looked at the toothpick, pencil, ruler and yardstick and wondered what crazy thing I was up to. I was known for being “creative” with my lessons.

“What are these for?”  He asked.

I looked at the items and then back at him, saying “Life will present you with lessons. At first, it will get your attention by tapping you very gently with a toothpick.” I pick up the toothpick and tap his head gently. 

“If you are paying attention, you’ll learn what is being offered. You can then put that lesson into your life’s toolbox, and move on to the next lesson.”

I picked up the pencil and said, “If you choose not to pay attention the first time, the same lesson will return. Only this time it will be like a rap on the head like this.” I tap him hard enough for him to notice.

“If you don’t pay attention this time, Life will just nod and smile. The same lesson will return. This time it will be a wooden ruler.” I pretend to hit him on the head.

He dodges my attempt and smiles.

“And the next time the lesson comes around…”

“Yeah, I get it. The next time it’s the yard stick.”

“You got it. And after that come the 1×1, and then the 2×6. If the lesson is continually ignored, a telephone pole usually does the job.”

“I’ll stick to the toothpick. Well, maybe the pencil,” he says smiling.

“I’ve had the telephone pole. It’s no fun,” I say with a semi-serious look.

Excerpt from No More Turning Away, A Revolution in Education, Solutions for a Violent World © Ron Veronda, 2012

For more of Ron Veronda’s work go to www.educationforyourlife.org or www.educationforyourlife.org/blog.