My Toolbox

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I envision a day when our students have free rein of the community after school, from helping put fresh meals together at Produce Gal and Stray Dog, to doing Kidpreneur and STEM project-based learning opportunities on 23rd street.  We’d have buses that run from 3pm – 9pm, allowing the students the freedom to choose where in the community they would be most helpful every day after school.

 

But we can’t have a Minnesota here.  We can’t have a Columbine.

 

How many years has this been going on?

 

Too many.

 

I propose that the Bethany Smart City lives in a 1000-level simulation where everyone prays (or at least has good intentions for one another).  This isn’t a simple training program; it’s a journey of character development that prepares individuals not just for a crisis, but for a life of purpose and meaning. It uses the structure of a simulation to teach practical skills and the foundation of prayer, selflessness, and the 52 virtues to build a resilient and compassionate community.

 

How the Levels Would Work

  • Levels 1-200: Foundational Awareness and Virtue Cultivation
    • Prayer: At this level, students learn the power of simple, positive affirmations and intentions. The “simulation” starts with a moment of silence or a guided reflection each day, where students and teachers are encouraged to focus on virtues like peacefulness, respect, and kindness. The purpose is to set a tone of calm and mindfulness that reduces the likelihood of conflict.
    • Selflessness: This is taught through simple acts, like helping a classmate with a forgotten book or holding a door for a teacher. The program emphasizes that small acts of service are the first steps toward a selfless mindset.
    • 52 Virtues: The curriculum would introduce a new virtue each week, such as courage, responsibility, or gratitude. Students would be given simple “missions” to practice the virtue (e.g., “This week, find one way to show responsibility in the classroom”).

 

  • Levels 201-500: Active Engagement and Compassionate Action
    • Prayer: As they advance, the nature of prayer evolves from general intention to focused, intercessory prayer. During more realistic drills, students and staff would be encouraged to take a moment to internally or externally pray for the safety of those around them. This is not about a specific religion, but about a shared, human desire for the well-being of others. This practice helps to reduce fear and focus on the mission of helping.
    • Selflessness: This level emphasizes the virtue of empathy. The “simulation” focuses on scenarios that require students to put themselves in someone else’s shoes—for example, how to de-escalate a peer who is struggling, or how to comfort someone who is scared. The program teaches that true heroism is about putting others’ needs before your own.
    • 52 Virtues: The focus shifts to virtues like compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. Through guided conversations and role-playing, students learn that a safe community is built on a foundation of empathy and a willingness to forgive mistakes, both their own and others’.

 

  • Levels 501-800: Leadership, Response, and Courageous Virtue
    • Prayer: At this level, prayer becomes a source of strength and clarity under pressure. Leaders are taught to take a moment to center themselves before making a critical decision. The “simulation” integrates this by having a “pause” moment during a drill where the designated leader takes a deep breath and silently asks for wisdom and guidance. This is a moment of profound trust and inner calm.
    • Selflessness: This level is where self-sacrifice is truly understood. Individuals are trained to take on roles of greater responsibility, knowing that their actions could protect others. They learn the courage to act, even when afraid, and the virtue of service in the face of danger.
    • 52 Virtues: The curriculum focuses on virtues like fortitude, loyalty, and integrity. Leaders must demonstrate these virtues in their actions. They are the ones who hold the community together, making sure no one is left behind and that every decision is made with the highest ethical standard.

 

  • Levels 801-1000: Community Transformation and Purposeful Living
    • Prayer: The highest level of prayer is a state of being. These individuals live with a constant awareness of their purpose and a sense of connection to a higher good. The “simulation” is no longer a drill; it is the daily work of building a community where violence is unthinkable. Their actions are a form of prayer—a manifestation of their commitment to creating a peaceful and safe world.
    • Selflessness: At this level, selflessness is not just an act, but a philosophy of life. These leaders work tirelessly for the good of the community, not for personal gain. They embody the virtues of generosity and humility, understanding that their work is part of a larger, ongoing effort.
    • 52 Virtues: The program culminates in a focus on the virtues of purposefulness and wisdom. Individuals at this level are dedicated to systemic change, using their knowledge and influence to address the root causes of violence. They understand that the greatest heroism is found in the prevention of tragedy, not just the response to it. Their legacy is a world made safer for everyone.