With the death of President Jimmy Carter, the nation mourns the passing of a truly praiseworthy life. As this sad occasion unfolded, and heartfelt tributes poured in, it also became a celebratory reflection upon Carter’s essential goodness and how integrity, empathy, morality, and selfless service can, and should, inform a portrait of leadership.

In the aftermath of the Nixon years, Carter pledged, “I will never lie to the American people.”  He kept that pledge. He was caring and kind, he was his brothers’ keeper, a peacemaker, a leader who lived his faith-based values.

At Carter's memorial service, attending former Presidents were undoubtedly called to reflect upon what might be the characterizations of their presidencies.  One might wonder if it registered with Mr. Trump, that no such affirming words will ever be spoken of him.

One might reflect that Mr. Trump also lives his values – even as they promote a corrosive standard of leadership. He has elevated the act of lying to the American people to the level of an openly cynical art form. His hateful and demeaning rhetoric has no bounds.

As a life-long educator I find it profoundly tragic that our nation’s electorate has chosen to shamefully elevate Mr. Trump – a foul mothed, narcistic, twice impeached, convicted felon and sex offender to our nation’s highest office. This should not stand as an acceptable exemplar of leadership for our students. The contrast between what we have lost and what is on our political horizon over the next four years could not be starker.

Which leadership model would you desire our students and future leaders to emulate? The stakes for our collective future could not be higher.    

Neal Guyer lives in Thomaston