Some people think a phrase like this is a cop out. Seriously? Show me where to look? So, all teachers have to do is point? We know that showing people where to look takes a perfect storm: a sort of planned serendipity. It’s an art to embrace the paradox of dayplans and ’free range’ learning. As teachers, we are responsible to ensure programming is in place, while grasping spontaneous opportunities. That’s hard to plan for, but if we are intentionally present to the beauty of that moment, like a butterfly, those delights will land where and when we least expect. Be patient. Be kind to yourself. It takes time to become a virtuoso, but like any jazz improviser, with practice, we can join in the music. It’s gold and not to be missed.
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Voice. Voice? Voice! Voice...What do I mean when I talk about 'having a voice'? The dictionary give the literal definition of 'sound uttered by the mouth', but interestingly enough, also states,"expression of the mind or will in word whether spoken or written...one's opinion or judgement...one' choice'. (The Concise English Dictionary, p. 1254) Voice can be active or passive, a noun or a verb. The idea of losing my voice is frightening on many levels. Who hasn't been frustrated by periods of laryngitis? Losing one's physical voice, people seek to find other ways to communicate, because having a voice is so very important. If I cannot speak, I may write or sign or act. But what if I lose my voice defined as my 'choice', as expression of my mind, my opinion or judgement? What are my options then? As teachers, we must ask,'What are our student's options?' In the classroom, I have not seen children lose their physical voice (though it happens, I am sure.) I have listened to many children who have lost their voice within the classroom and within their lives. These are children who were once bubbling with voice and then learned the world is a little safer for them if they sit down and remain silent. How does this change? A wise man told me something that stuck. "In order to have a voice, someone needs to listen." In order to have a voice, someone needs to listen. In order to have a voice, I need to listen. I had to think on that sentence. It's so beautifully simple, yet profound. Let's make conscious efforts to truly listen to our students, to each other. I'm convinced we'll be richer for it.
With our busy schedules, how can we possibly spend time reflecting? Reflecting can seem passive and to some, a waste of time, when we could be DOING something. Well, change your mindset! You are in for a surprise. Part of the joy of reflection is letting go of our passion for doing and fighting a culture that states our value is in our perceived productivity. Notice the word 'perceived'.
As educators, we are leaders, like it or not, and “The leader as a reflective practitioner sets the tone for learning. Leaders should ideally also take a significant role in the change process by engaging in personal transformation, and become coaches and facilitators serving others. Sustainability and continuity of learning initiatives seem to be much more prevalent in organizations where leaders 'lead by learning' and are fully engaged in the process, assuming a leadership role in the transformation.” * So, I challenge you to 'lead by learning', learning how to cast aside our 'doingness' and embrace prioritizing time to reflect, and in so doing, experience a new kind of transformation. * K. Ayas & N. Zeniuk, “Project-based learning: Building Communities of Reflective Practitioners” in Christopher John Grey & Elena Antonacopoulou, eds., Essential Readings in Management Learning (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2004) 271 at 283.
Ever CHOOSE to get lost? In An Altar in the World, Barbara Brown Taylor writes about how we normally follow the predictable, beaten path for various reasons. It's usually the shortest way from point A to B. We can see where we put our feet and where many others have trod. It's proven. This is pretty normal. So, why change? Why get lost? Brown postulates that 'once you leave the cow path, the unpredictable territory is full of life. True, you cannot always see where you are putting your feet. This means you can no longer afford to stay unconscious. You can no longer count on the beat-down red dirt path making all of your choices for you. Leaving it, you agree to make your own choices for a a spell. You agree to become aware of each step you take, tuning all of your sense to exactly where you are and exactly what you are doing....Before I know it, I am lost in the lives of ... people as well...By the time this unknown road dumps me back onto a highway I know, my detour has cost me ten minutes-a fortune, at the fevered pitch of my day-which I gladly pay for the liberating proof that i am still able to leave the thin paths I have worn with my frugal, fearful hooves." (p. 72-3) Are you walking a well-trodden path? Are you fully alive or going through motions? Maybe it's time to get lost, take a risk, shake it up. In the process of being disoriented, you may find new riches. Let me know. Ready for Renewal? I'd love to hear what speaks to you after you push that button.:)
Are you a culture hero? Parker Palmer thinks you are. During this strike, it's easy to forget why we teach and what we do. Let's bear witness to each other. Let's be a cloud of witnesses declaring each other's worth. Let's be culture heroes.
If you haven't read "The Courage to Teach" by Parker Palmer, you're missing out. Period. Watch the video in my last post to hear another teacher's testimony, of how her life and teaching was changed by reading his words. "Kindergarten teacher Dr. Debbie Stanley on the way inner work can change the outer world -- for all ages." Have you done the 'inner work' that transforms? that gives meaning to what we do? So, what is the beauty in YOUR life? What makes your heart sing? During the summer, we have more time to reflect on creating space in our classrooms for that beauty to flourish. I would covet your thoughts, ideas, inspirations as you encounter them in your summer musings. Please share so that we can grow beauty in our world.
Rethinking... I was reflecting on what I really want to be part of. Transformation. That's a loaded word with a lot of freight. How to unpack it? Where does it begin? I guess it begins with my own journey, my story. These past years have been years of transformation, in little ways and in big ways. It's all too big to sit in a post, but perhaps I can take one item out of the suitcase at a time. I believe that 'finding oneself' is overrated, an easy catch-all, along with 'be yourself.' We're much too conscious of others, monitoring the way we are perceived to have an idea of ourselves. I believe much of my growth has resulted from getting to know myself. In taking the time to reflect on my own, and with others, I've come to terms with who I am (during my better moments!). During my not so good moments, I fall into false thinking. Knowing this, my question is, how to build capacity and awareness in our students? How to awaken them to themselves? How to be part of their becoming? It strikes me that these are important questions. I wonder if a place to start would be go facilitate exploration of students' stories, first through being curious about their identity. New B.C. curriculum and government proposals recognize the importance of personal and social identity. One of the core competencies in the new B.C. government documents is "Personal and Social—Personal and social competency is the set of abilities that relate to students' identity in the world, both as individuals and as members of their community and society. Personal and social competency encompasses the abilities students need to thrive as individuals, to understand and care about themselves and others, and to find and achieve their purposes in the world." (https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/competencies) Don't we all want to 'thrive...understand...care...find and achieve our purposes? Let's begin to share our stories. Let's be bold, audacious and courageous as we seek out new ways. |
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