American Teachers: Inspire the Heart and Transform the Country

Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel and Da Vinci portrayed the Mona Lisa. Through the works of artistic masters, people can glimpse moments of darkness and brutality, but also find serenity, comfort, and inspiration.

But above and beyond the mastery of all of the world's greatest artists, only a teacher can mold the heart of a child and the future of a nation.

Since the Columbine tragedy I have been privileged to travel America speaking to thousands of teachers. My constant message is that our teachers must educate from the heart and truly care about their students. Whenever I visit schools, the teachers who care stand out. They earn trust from their students and inspire determination-because the students know these teachers care about them.

In one of my experiences, while conducting an assessment for a school district, a student approached me with a commentary of what can happen without a culture of caring. The student told me that each day when she came to school she felt “invisible.” She explained that she was not popular, attractive, talented, smart or fashionable and ate lunch by herself in a corner of the cafeteria on a daily basis.

Seizing the moment, I introduced her to a dynamic new teacher who I had interviewed a few days prior and asked this educator to take her under her wing. Weeks later I visited the district again and marveled at the transformation the teacher ignited-the student was vibrant with enthusiasm, new friends, a new sense of belonging and purpose.

Cultivating a Preventive System of Education

In my opinion there are essentially two basic forms of education in American schools. There is the repressive system which makes rules known, watches for transgressions and is quick to discipline a student by inflicting condescending correction and punishment. The errant zero tolerance policy in so many schools is an example of a repressive system-rigid, bureaucratic and impersonal.

The proper approach is the preventive system of education. In this system, educators are vigilant in a caring manner and offer patient guidance from the heart consistent with kindness, character and reasonableness. The preventive system of education builds trust and connections with students and the community. Opposed to zero tolerance is a measured intervention approach which promotes reasonableness, dignity and respect. Simply expressed, the repressive system is dictatorial and may temporarily stop a disorder but will not inspire students. The preventive system speaks the language of the heart and is transformational.

These are some of the principles of the preventive system of education which is critical to reawakening the nation and must be cultivated in America’s schools:

•Teachers inspire admiration as they care for youth entrusted to their care
•Teachers are respected as individuals with character and motivate the same in their students
•The edifice of the preventive system is character and its pillars which includes respect, responsibility, fairness and citizenship
•A vigilant presence is exercised to prevent inappropriate behavior and reward proper behavior
•Improvements with behavior are motivated through kindness and respect rather than punishment
•A collaborative and speedy intervention to warning signs takes place due to the educators presence and awareness
•Educators influence through positive attitudes, professionalism and approachability
•Discipline can be as effective as an expression of disappointment or a reproachful look because the student admires the teacher and is loyal and respectful
•Students are affirmed for their qualities and do not lose heart when mistakes are made
•Students are encouraged to do what is right through the teacher’s patience, guidance and understanding

As published in Vincent’s weekly column for the Epoch Times on Thursday, April 24, 2014.


Photos
Union City Public Schools-teacher and students on February 27, 2009 (Vincent J. Bove)
North Arlington Public Schools-teachers and staff at Vincent’s professional development keynote titled Transforming Our Schools on September 3, 2013 (Vincent J. Bove)

Diversity: America's Heartbeat

Diversity is America’s heartbeat and essential to reawakening the nation. It expresses a true appreciation of the inestimable value of each human being and a respect for their beliefs. Tragically, a recent incident expressed a violation of diversity.

On Sunday, April 13, 2014, the eve of Passover for the Jewish faith and Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week for Christians, a 73-year-old Ku Klux Klan member reminded the world of the destructive history of hate. This extremist, who possessed a long history of involvement with white supremacists as well as a propensity for violence, released his rage.

The mad-man, accused of killing three people including a 14-year-old Eagle Scout and his 69-year-old grandfather, at two Jewish Centers in Kansas had a history replete with organizing armed militias, plotting to kill and stockpiling military grade weapons.

As he was taken into custody by law enforcement, for what will be persecuted as hate crimes, he reportedly yelled a phrase associated with the evil of the Nazi regime, words not worthy of being repeated in this column.

A Celebration of Diversity

As a counterpoint to the evil that took place in Kansas, I am reminded of an event I took part on Wednesday, March 28, 2007. The Anti-Defamation League celebrated a Solidarity Seder with law enforcement, government, community, faith based, corporate and citizen guests at the Trenton War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey. It was fittingly held at the Trenton War Memorial-a National Historic Site-built as "a great community center" dedicated to the memory of American soldiers and sailors who died fighting World War I.

Prior to the Seder, a representative of the Anti-Defamation League explained the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan. Contradicting their hatred, he shared these treasured words of Emma Lazarus inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty:

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door"

Testimonials were then shared including a young man who spoke about the heartbreak of seeing his mother arrested as they attempted to enter America from Mexico. This young man went on to proudly become an American citizen and applied to become a member of the United States Army. Another young man stated there are no complaints about immigration as American’s enjoy the fruits and vegetables harvested through the labor and sweat of immigrants working on farms.

The most moving testimonial was by Holocaust survivor Shelly Zeiger who spoke passionately about “the town’s fool.” This man, lovingly referred to as Anton by Mr. Zeiger, was ridiculed as a misfit by his townspeople in Western Ukraine and considered a fool because of his obsessive respect for all life. Although a Catholic, Anton risked his own life to hide Jewish neighbors in his home. He hid Shelly, his father and mother and two girls from the Nazis in the Zbrow ghetto for 27 months beginning in 1942. Shelly stated that “Anton was truly a hero who teaches us to respect each human being, for courage can be found in the most unlikely of persons.”

After the war, Shelly and his family came to America. Years later, he mustered enough courage to go back to his home town in the Ukraine to find Anton. He found him and brought him to live with him and his family in America, a country whose appreciation for diversity is the heartbeat of the nation and the world.

As published in Vincent’s weekly column for the Epoch Times on Thursday, April 17, 2014. This is an abbreviated version of his published article titled Appreciating Diversity: Reawakening the Heart of America which was published in the New Jersey Police Chief Magazine, May/June 2007 edition.

International and American Flags in Rockefeller Center (Vincent J. Bove)
Liberation Monument in Jersey City (Bill Kimbark)

America's Active Shooter Crisis: Issues and Response

America’s active shooter crisis was dramatized at Fort Hood with three shot dead, 16 wounded and the shooter’s suicide on April 2, 2014. Flags fly at half mast once again imploring our nation to mourn, reflect and respond.

The Department of Homeland Security defines the issue: An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation."

Active Shooter Incidents Triple Since 2009

Addressing police chiefs in Philadelphia on Monday, October 21, 2013, Attorney General Eric Holder said the United States saw an average of five active shooting incidents a year between 2000 and 2008. "Alarmingly, since 2009, this annual average has tripled. We've seen at least 12 active shooter situations so far in 2013", Holder said.

Before the Attorney General concluded his remarks, the number had risen to 13. A Nevada middle-school student shot a math teacher, two classmates and himself. The classmates survived, but the teacher and the shooter did not. This incident-as well as continual incidents since then-punctuates the Attorney General’s call for an "aggressive national response" to the disturbing rise in active-shooter situations.

NYPD Recommendations

As detailed on the NYPD SHIELD website, there is a guide to mitigate active shooter attacks. The guide provides recommendations tailored to building security personnel including:


Procedures

•Conduct a realistic security assessment to determine the facility’s vulnerability to an
active shooter attack.

•Identify multiple evacuation routes and practice evacuations… post evacuation routes in conspicuous locations… ensure that evacuation routes account for individuals with special needs and disabilities.

•Designate shelter locations with thick walls, solid doors with locks, minimal interior
windows, first-aid emergency kits, communication devices, and duress alarms.

•Designate a point-of-contact with knowledge…to liaise with police and other emergency agencies in the event of an attack.

•Incorporate an active shooter drill into the organization’s emergency preparedness
procedures.

•Vary security guards’ patrols and patterns of operation.

•Limit access to blueprints, floor plans, and other documents…make sure these documents are available to law enforcement responding to an incident.

•Establish a central command station for building security.

Systems

•Put in place credential-based access control systems that provide accurate attendance
reporting, limit unauthorized entry, and do not impede emergency egress.

•Put in place closed-circuit television systems that provide domain awareness of the
entire facility and its perimeter; ensure that video feeds are viewable from a central
command station.

Training

•Conduct training as outlined by the Department of Homeland Security in “Active Shooter: How to Respond”: Evacuate…; Hide...Take Action...

•Train building occupants to call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so.

•Train building occupants on how to respond when law enforcement arrives…

Final Reflection

Active shooter tragedies have reached staggering proportions in America and each company, school, facility, house of worship, agency and community is a potential victim.

Law enforcement and private security must exercise leadership, vigilance and collaboration to protect those entrusted to their care. Citizens must report concerns.

Balancing cutting edge crime prevention, crisis management principles and training initiatives-including warning signs and mental health issues-with ongoing analysis is critical to safeguarding the nation.

This blog was originally published in Vincent's weekly column for the Epoch Times on Friday, April 11, 2014. The column was an abbreviated version of Vincent's full length article published in both The Chief of Police, Winter 2014 and the New Jersey Police Chief Magazine, December 2013.

NYPD Photo (Vincent J. Bove)

America's Military Suicide Crisis: Awareness, Compassion, Prevention

Although details surrounding Abraham Lincoln’s letter to a mother who lost her sons are shrouded with questions, his honor for sacrifice is indisputable. Lincoln inspires America to honor sacrifices being made by our American military and their families:

Executive Mansion
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.


Dear Madam,--
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln

Current American Military Suicide Crisis

Let us fast forward to current military sacrifices. Compounding sacrifices made on the battlefield, there is a staggering rise of military suicides. According to a Department of Veterans Affairs report, an average of 22 Veteran’s commits suicide every day-8,000 per year.

These heart piercing words by a father who lost his son due to suicide demands America’s resolve:

Army Specialist Tim Bowman, Age 23-Words by his father Mike Bowman and family

“On Thanksgiving morning, 2005, our family’s lives changed forever. Our son, Timothy Noble Bowman, age 23, took his own life. His war was finally over, his demons were put to rest, and hopefully he is now at peace. Tim was laid to rest in a combination military and firefighter funeral that was a tribute to the man he was, and what he had accomplished in his short 23 year life.

“Tim was a Specialist in the Illinois National Guard from the Bravo Troop, 106th Cav out of Dixon, Illinois. He served in Iraq under the Foxtrot 202/ADA guard unit from Galva, Illinois when they combined Galva, Dixon and Kewanee units to form Foxtrot and activate for duty in Iraq. F202 started their deployment in March of 2004 at Camp Victory at the Baghdad Airport. They were responsible for patrolling and securing the roads around Baghdad for 9 months, including 6 months on Route Irish, the road to the airport from the green zone or as it has been called so many times, the most dangerous road in the world. They patrolled this road without a single casualty, something that no other unit has or had been able to do. Their tour ended at Tarmiya, Iraq when they took a local police station back from the insurgents and then operated it with the local police until they returned in March of 2005.

“My son was a fun loving, life of the party type of person when he left for Iraq. When he returned he had deep mental and emotional scars that finally put him into depression that drove him to end his own life with a handgun on Thanksgiving Day. He was so tormented by the things that he had been ordered to do while on duty. We tried to get him to talk about his problems but all we would get was "it's alright, I'm OK, or I can deal with it". When I asked him to seek counseling he would always tell me, "they won't understand, they haven't been there.” Tim told me that when Foxtrot was at Ft Polk for demob they went through mental and physical evaluations.

"The ghosts and demons of what they had been asked to do would not leave him alone. He suffered from PTSD and depression and we never even saw it. Now that he is gone we have so many signs that were there but we were not trained to know what they were telling us. We will forever miss our soldier, our fireman, our hero, our son.”

Final Reflection

Lincoln’s letter to a mother about the sacrifice of five sons would be complimented today by his writing to a parent who lost a child due to a military suicide. Lincoln would honor all who have fallen and passionately inspire awareness, compassion and prevention. May each of us resolve with Lincoln to honor all sacrifices “upon the altar of freedom.”

As published in Vincent’s weekly column for the Epoch Times on Friday, April 4, 2014.

An expanded version of this column, with additional details on warning signs and helping a suicidal person, was published in The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine, May 2014 edition.

Photo's of U.S. Coast Guard Honor Guard and U.S. Navy Sailors in Times Square during Memorial Day weekend, 2011 and American Flag in Summit,NJ by Vincent J. Bove.