Holding Doors in a Hurry
Yesterday morning, I stood outside the school’s entrance – like I do most days – greeting students as they arrived. At 8:29, I saw a student standing alone across the street dutifully waiting for the walk signal at the crosswalk. When the signal changed, she rushed across the street, presumably eager to get to her 8:30 class. We walked into the building together, and, despite her rush, she took the time to hold the door for me as we entered the lobby. She then raced to the staircase and stopped on the first step, noticing another student approaching the side door. She pivoted and opened the door for that student before continuing on her way.
Holding a door is a kindness. When repeated, it becomes habit. Habits in turn build character. We celebrate moments like these because we embrace our duty to help students build character in this critical developmental period. Becoming a person for others is both a benefit to society and a source of life-long fulfillment for that individual.
Yesterday’s example, though, doesn’t feel like the student was just building character; to me, it revealed this student’s character. It is easy to be generous with your time in a relaxed setting. Holding a door when you are already late says something about who you are. I’m so grateful to be in a school with young people like this one who stand as models for all of us.