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You can support education without spending a dime

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What does it mean to "support" education?

Too often, we equate financial matters such as favorable tax levies, bond issues and increases in state or federal funding with "support" for education.

Of course it takes money to buy things, but is that all there is to supporting education?

When children arrive at school well-rested, fed, clothed appropriately and in a positive frame of mind they can learn. Whoever ensures that these things are provided is supporting education as well as those who make children feel they are loved and valued members of the home, school and community.

Helping children understand the vast potential they have, providing opportunities to explore safely the world around them and encouraging success is supporting education. Coaching, advising, motivating and smiling are all ways to support education.

Demonstrating character, admitting faults and then correcting them, apologizing and having a positive attitude in the presence of school children is supporting education.

Reading or telling stories to preschoolers is supporting education. Doing a kind deed for a high school student is supporting education.

Being humble in victory and gracious in defeat is supporting education. Working hard on the job, lending a helping hand to a neighbor, being circumspect in speech, and making favorable remarks about others is supporting education.

Following the rules — even the ones you don't like — is supporting education.

Demonstrating practical applications of knowledge to real-life situations like using geometry to cut the correct angles in lumber to frame a house is supporting education.

Those who volunteer in schools provide tangible services and work alongside staff to help students. Giving of one's time in this manner is a visible way to support education.

Consider this fact: Children watch and emulate adults at home, on TV, YouTube and at school.

What are you doing to support education?

David L. Hough, Ph.D., is professor and dean of the College of Education at Missouri State University. You may contact him via email at: DavidHough01@gmail.com. Views expressed in this column are solely those of Hough and do not necessarily represent MSU positions.