12 Things Kids Need to Learn in 2012

I've been in this business a really long time. It's not all about academic standards and test results. As educators we have an awe-inspiring opportunity, some may say responsibility, to educate young people (and sometimes, their parents, too) in personal and social responsibility, to be ethical, sensible, accountable, and happier people.

Here are a dozen points that, in my opinion, we need to teach kids through our own examples:

• Be responsible for your own actions and choices.
• Sometimes you need to stand up for yourself.
• Not everything is fun all the time.
• You can learn from your mistakes.
• You don't win all the time.
• What you "want" and what you "need" are not always the same thing. Know the difference.
• There will not always be somebody there to bail you out.
• Sometimes you won't feel good or happy. That's normal.
• Your actions will always affect others sooner or later.
• Not everybody you meet will like you.
• You have a role in the things that happen to you. Nothing "just happens."
• There is a greater good. It's not all about you.

I'm sure that you each can add to this list, but it's a start.