Some lessons from school follow us long after we leave the classroom.
For me, one of those is the IALAC story I remember from Coach Knott at Mountain Brook High School:
“I am lovable and capable.”
Five words. A simple message with a lot to teach us about how we treat ourselves and one another.
Lovable means we are worthy of care and respect. Capable means we can learn, contribute, accept responsibility, and grow—even when something is difficult or we have made mistakes.
Looking through these slides about kindness, communication, and connection brings that lesson back to mind. They give me a practical way to think about the value of Social Emotional Learning, or SEL: learning to recognize our feelings, manage our responses, understand another person’s perspective, and make thoughtful choices.
These are skills we have opportunities to practice every day.
Can I listen without interrupting? Can I disagree respectfully? Can I name what I’m feeling before I take it out on someone else? Can I recognize when someone needs encouragement—and when they need space?
One reminder in these pictures is to pause before reacting: Stop. Take a breath. Observe. Proceed.
That pause gives us a chance to choose our next words. We can ask a question, explain ourselves more clearly, or step away long enough to respond with care.
Another lesson is that kindness and boundaries belong together. We can offer support while respecting someone’s privacy. We can care about people while accepting their limits. We can also acknowledge our own limits and ask for help.
The slides offer simple examples of putting these ideas into practice:
• Say thank you.
• Give someone your full attention.
• Offer encouragement.
• Consider how a situation might look from another person’s perspective.
• Help with a manageable task.
• Notice and appreciate someone’s effort.
They also acknowledge that reaching out can be hard. When someone is overwhelmed, exhausted, or carrying painful experiences, connection may take time. A small beginning still counts. Trust grows through patience and consistent actions.
I especially like the suggestion to keep a kindness journal: write down one kind thing you did or witnessed each day. It invites us to pay attention—and to look for another opportunity tomorrow.
For me, Coach Knott’s IALAC lesson connects all of this. We can hold people accountable while speaking to their capacity to do better. We can acknowledge our own mistakes while continuing to learn. We can give encouragement that is specific and sincere: “Thank you for listening.” “I noticed your effort.” “Your contribution helped.”
Those are words worth practicing at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.
Thank you, Coach Knott, for a lesson worth remembering and carrying forward.
I am lovable and capable.
You are lovable and capable.
Today, let’s give someone a reason to remember it.
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