As an educator of middle school students and a school committee member, I immediately thought of how Gov. Paul LePage’s comment toward the NAACP would affect the children of our state.

Maine schools have adopted the core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, compassion, fairness and courage. We work hard to teach students how to live according to those values, including teaching them to speak respectfully and manage their emotions.

It is very discouraging when our highest elected official speaks so disrespectfully without any apparent remorse. Gov. LePage needs to think about being a leader and a role model for all of his constituents, including the children.

Next time a student speaks disrespectfully and I intervene it wouldn’t surprise me if the student said, ” Why can’t I if the governor can?”

Martha Stone, Poland