MONTHLY MUSINGS...
September 2008
WHO AM I AS A TEACHER?
“Straight, solid, centered, safe
I thought my path would be until I met the river.
A kayak for a classroom, the lessons
could be harsh, punishing
a lack of attention or poor judgment,
Cold mountain currents pulled
me from my craft and bounced me
through rapids, pummeling against unyielding rock.
When the volume is high, the obstacles change.
Maintaining my direction, committing to a course proved
more difficult than anticipated. Whitewater rapids demanded
all my focus, all my strength.
No changes to curriculum, I was informed
The only way out is through. As the river widened,
gentler lessons were given: find the V, the tongue;
follow the bubble line to catch the deepest current;
Let the water push you forward with the least effort.
Golden eagles, blue herons, white pelicans,
Beavers were classroom monitors,
witnessing my failures and progress.
Upon graduation I learned to follow
the currents with grace and ease,
not to push the river but move within it.
I found my path –
It was in the water.
(Diane Bergstrom, ’The River’)
From the first moment we enter that classroom full of noisy children and busy minds at play, we need to ask ourselves a very important question: Who am I? How do I see myself in this teacher role I have been given? Am I here to control the whole scene or am I merely placed in this classroom to learn day by day my true purpose here?
Our simple intention to be open to understanding our deep and meaningful purpose as a teacher would make a world of difference in our students’ lives.
How many teachers do you know who do not exhibit a desire to control their classroom? Controlling or managing the classroom environment is an important topic being taught in teaching programs all over the world.
I would invite us now to look closer at this idea of being in charge. It is not the idea itself that I am having trouble with, but the mere approach being applied over and over without us realizing its detrimental force in our children’s life.
A question arises: Should the teacher dictate how a lesson would take course or should the students be allowed to have a choice in co-creating a natural flow of learning within the school as a laboratory of inspiration for living?
OCTOBER 2008
Oct. 23rd, 2008
Anne came to school this morning with a Jack-O-Lantern she carved at home with her Mom last evening. Inside its round belly, there was a black bag filled with tiny chocolates. Needless to say, we all had an early Halloween snack today as Anne distributed her sweet treasures to each and everyonr of us.
I was reminded again of the Beauty and Magic of BEING open to my children's imagination and creative gifts as they bring them to me each moment. Learning how to use their gifts and integrate their inspiration within the learning context at school is definitely a dance of wonder for me.
Later in the day, just before lunch, I gave the children a little bit of free time and I was observing them. Vanessa decided she was going to play the role of a mentor for Kaocen to help him learn more English. I instantly became fascinated with her magical approach to teaching.
WATCH the video here. There is background noise from the other children who are talking in the Reading Garden, but nevertheless, you will catch a glimpse of her spelling lesson designed just for Kaocen. ENJOY! Ms. Trone