COPS CORNER

Are You A Teacher?

I have recently received training to become a DARE officer. The DARE
program teaches kids at the grade school level the realization that drugs
are among us and the resistance to know which are good drugs and which are
bad. In essence I have received some training of a teacher.

A lot of my high school friends have become teachers. I began to think on
what it would be like if I became one. Then I realized I am a teacher!

Most of the time I have pupils circling my ankles. My kids, and other
younger relatives have been learning from me for years.

I was taught by my older relatives to be honest, to work hard and somewhere
back there a genuine love of motorcycles. (My mom will tell you the
motorcycle thing was not to her fault).

The question posed above is "Are you a teacher?" Believe it or not, you are.

"How can this be?" you ask. Every time you are with kids (your own or
borrowed) they look up to you. Example, when getting into a vehicle, do you
put your seatbelt on? They are watching you. Do you treat others badly?
They are learning from you.

Okay, say you are retired and the relatives live far away. When driving to
and from the mailbox, the grocery store, even another town. Do you see kids
out walking or playing? They can see you.

I know this because kids tell me they see me. (In the police car or my
personal vehicle). I'm sure you're thinking 'But Cst. Human you're a
virtual celebrity everywhere you go'! Yes... that is true (as my head
swells) but it takes a community to raise a child.

We are all responsible for working with today's youth. Stake your interest
in the youth around you, think of it as an investment for future communities.