Just how much do you respect diversity?

Dear Claire Amos...

I just had a chance to follow up on some of the reaction to your EDUCANZ and PPTA related decisions that you shared today (for background see here and here, and then for today's reactions see the comments on this post and this twitter conversation).

I just wanted to take a moment to say... I think that it is admirable that you spoke out about what you believe. You have had the courage to stand up for what you felt was right. You did not allow peer or public pressure to sway you from your values. Not only that, but you opted for optimism and hope, rather than cynicism. You are an intelligent woman, a force to be reckoned with, and I hope that you make it onto EDUCANZ because I know that once you are there, you will fight for better representation of teachers every chance you get. 

It is disheartening to see that today we had to remind teachers to be better digital citizens when someone expressed an opinion different than their own, and different from the status quo. Perhaps there is some food for thought for all of us there. Exactly how much empathy and respect do you show to those with an opinion different than your own? Do you seek to understand? To empathise? Or do you label? Perhaps even judge? Thank you to those of you who showed empathy today. 

Well done Claire for not compromising on what you believe in.