"Teenagers these days " (insert eye roll).
"These are our future leaders?"
"Tattoos, gauges, mohawks, really?!"
We've all heard these things at one time or another. We may have even said them ourselves.
I have two teenagers of my own, and I love them more than life. I have actually enjoyed spending time with them and their friends. But maybe I was biased. Maybe
I was about to find out.
I became a librarian at North Stafford High School in 2011. Having worked in an elementary setting for 22 years, I was both excited and nervous to begin the year.
Well, here I am, almost at the end of the school year, and I can honestly say that I will never again listen to people who say negative things about teens.
Not a day has gone by this year that I haven't heard "Yes, ma'am," "No, ma'am," "Please," "Thank you," "I'm sorry," "Do you need some help?"
Not a day has gone by this year that I haven't been given a smile or a hug, or witnessed one student helping another.
Yes, I've also seen some students make bad choices, but who hasn't?
Here is what I say: "Teenagers these days" are full of kindness and generosity. We should support them and have confidence in them as our nation's future leaders.
We should look past the negative stereotypes and the "unique outer shells" of these young men and women. We should believe in them, set high expectations for them, and give them a chance.
I am proud to say that I work in a high school. I am honored to have met and worked with so many fine young ladies and gentlemen, and I am grateful to have been given this opportunity.
Amy Kilpatrick
Spotsylvania