HOW TO BE A HERO - START EARLY

A hero is simply someone who rises above his own human weaknesses for an hour, a day, a year, to do something stirring." Betty Deramus

A 2001 Harris Poll gave nine criteria which could be used to determine a hero. Abbreviated, they are:

1. Never give up.
2. Do the right thing.
3. Do more than expected.
4. Stay calm in crisis.
5. Change things for the better.
6. Overcome adversity.
7. Willing to risk personal safety.
8. Command support and respect of others.
9. Don't expect recognition.

Clinton Van Inman, educator and writer, claims that "a hero is simply someone who stands up for what he or she believes and in the process makes a difference that causes a qualitative change in the social fabric. Real heroes make a difference in our lives." He further believes that we need someone to look up to, to give a reason for our existence.

I think we all have the potential to be heroes but fear, insecurity, and an unwillingness to get involved, can keep us from realizing it. How many of us have seen an action that needed to be taken, stood back to let someone else take it, then wished we had had the guts to step up to the plate.

A story is told about my husband, Vaughn, citing an example where he became a hero almost by happenstance. He was on a fishing boat in Alaska when a man fell overboard. The man's work partner stood by doing nothing. Vaughn asked him if he was a good swimmer to which the fellow acquiesced, but still he did nothing. So, without thinking more, Vaughn jumped in and saved the guy, and in that moment became a hero. I wonder what the other man thought upon reflecting back. The water was rough. Was he afraid he himself might drown? Did he figure that someone else would save his partner? Is the fact that he didn't one of his personal regrets in life?

Since this is an education blog I try to think of how the subject matter can be tied into the school scene, no matter what the grade level. Heroism shows itself in ways big and small. Examples might be going to the aid of a school mate who is being bullied; sticking up for the new kid at school; saying "no" to peers who want to draw one into delinquent acts, etc.

Although some may think it sounds sexist, in kindergarten and first grade almost every little boy wants to be a fireman or policeman "because they help people." Many little girls want to be nurses or teachers for the same reason. Fairness and empathy are often part of the young child's makeup. Somewhere along the line they lose their zeal for helping, and become more interested in fame and fortune - being rich, becoming an NFL player or rock star. We can, of course, blame the media for much of the change in focus.

But, regarding the concepts of fear or unwillingness to be involved, consider this. How many of us as parents caution our children to "Be careful!" "Don't talk to strangers." "Don't get involved." "Mind your own business." A healthy awareness of life's dangers is one thing. A crippling fear that keeps us from helping others is something else.

I believe we all have the seeds of heroism within us. Realizing that we can be heroes, even in our daily lives, helps to build feelings of confidence , self worth, and love of our fellow man. Some of those feelings have been drummed out of us, and replaced by feelings I mentioned earlier of fear, inadequacy and the unwillingness to get involved. As teachers we can help kids find the "hero" within.

I found a wonderful set of lesson plans called "What Makes A Hero" while surfing the net. It is aimed at grades 3-5, but can be adapted to all grades with a little tweaking. The lessons follow:

Lesson 1: Do Kids Have Heroes?
Lesson 2: Are All Heroes Created Equal?
Lesson 3: Can a Kid Be a Hero?
Lesson 4: Do Adults Have Heroes? Did They Have Heroes When They Were Kids?
Lesson 5: Looking for a Hero
Lesson 6: Heroes from History
Lesson 7: Our Heroes
Lesson 8: Local Hero Extending the Lesson

The objectives, guiding question, and lesson preparation can be found by logging on to:

http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=251

If you are a parent reading this blog, think about how you can sow the seeds of heroism in your child and yourself. Today's world needs every hero possible to survive.

I close with a quote by Christopher Reeve who my daughter thinks wore a hero's hat. He said, "When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked 'What is a hero?' My answer was that a hero is someone who commits a courageous action without considering the consequences. Now my definition is completely different. I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."