When you read the post below, this may make sense. !
Weird. The post before this was typed up in September. I found it amongst my drafts and thought, "what the heck'. Post it. So, take from it what fits and disregard the rest. I was struck by how some of the things that confused me then have cleared up (somewhat!), but now I've new things to confuse and excite me. But, it was an interesting perspective looking back. Ah, teaching.
When you read the post below, this may make sense. !
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I've been immersed in Dewey. Dewey-eyed. Dewey know what we're doing? Dewey feel overwhelmed? YES. I've begun teaching this week, after a long and emotionally draining teacher strike in B.C. I've begun a new project called 'Tree and Me' with my colleagues at school, volunteered for the school district Personal and Social Responsibility Committee, am applying for a grant to study another inquiry, am participating in a study group focused on improving reading for specific people, blah, blah, blah. And last, but certainly not least, have begun my Masters of Educational Practice. I'm overwhelmed, scared, excited, curious and it's all my own fault. I LOVE TO LEARN !! So back to Dewey, the grandpapa of Critical Reflection. Dewey believed there were two parts to critical reflection: "a perplexed, troubled, or confused situation at the beginning and a cleared-up unified, resolved situation at the close." (Lyons, p.12) I'm experiencing the first and taking it on good authority (Dewey's!) that I will experience the latter. I've read somewhere that the number one indicator of success is perseverance. So I'm clinging tenaciously to that thought and hope that it will all come together in the end, and if it's not together, it's not the end. Lyons, N. (2010). Chapter 1: Reflection and Reflective Inquiry: Critical Issues, Evolving Conceptualizations, Contemporary Claims and Future Possibilities. In Handbook of reflection and reflective inquiry mapping a way of knowing for professional reflective inquiry. New York: Springer.
At the end of the day, what matters? Why do we teach, live, breathe? What give us meaning, fuels our passions, feels complete? I think those are important questions to ask ourselves. Sometimes, they are so overwhelming, we confuse ourselves and spend more time thinking than living. Perhaps, part of the answer can be found in the forest. I've meandered, jogged and paused alongside this particular nursing stump for coming on twenty-five years. Gradually, I've seen it give of itself to the young sapling that first sprouted within it's 'shelter'. When I became a parent, the idea of giving of oneself for another resonated all the more strongly. In this giving, the stump still seemed strong and centered, capable of giving life while holding its own. I see now, it crumbles more and I see the young sapling has grown strong and sturdy roots around the stump, I know, that with time, the stump will disappear, but it's life was heroic. It lived a majestic life, its girth evidence of a beautiful cedar. In its time, it held nests for birds, shelter for the wet traveller, initials of lovers and listened to princesses and princes frolicing beneath its branches. It took time 'to be', I am sure, twining its roots and branches with others, supportive and nurturing. Evidence of a life well lived, I would say. What is the key to connecting? to building strong links? When I think of moments that I felt truly connected to an idea or a person, it was when I'd invested the time being present. By being present, I mean available, listening, probably silent. Truly being interested, stopping, not just stopping by. Can we afford the time? Can we NOT afford the time? It's time to slooooooooooooooow down, to offer more than a "How are you?" that doesn't expect a genuine response. Look someone in the eyes and mean it. I think you'll be the richer for the risk. |
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April 2015
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