The Universe Delivers
Okay, but seriously, the Universe de-liv-ers.
Just last night, I wrote the following:
So the questions I am facing now are these: how do I run such a classroom? What are the tools that I need? Who will support me in this? How do I teach these things in addition to what is required by the district? How do I keep myself in the state of mind that is necessary to maintain this type of environment? The big one- how can I let go of the things that don't matter, but I want so badly to control?
A few hours later, I was snugged in bed when I remembered a book that I purchased a while back but never got around to reading. It is called Spirit Whisperers: Teachers Who Nourish a Child's Spirit by Chick Moorman. I dug it out of my dresser, read the back cover, and I was hooked:
"Spirit Whisperers are "way showers." They show us that real education has nothing to do with covering content, but is now and has always been a drawing out of what already exists in the student rather than a putting in of what we see as necessary to fill perceived deficiencies.
Spirit Whisperers are "hope givers." They give us hope that we can create an educational system that doesn't perceive failure, that grants dignity without it needing to be earned, that holds a child in a state of grace, even as appropriate consequences are implemented.
Spirit Whisperers help us lift our eyes, our hearts, and our spirits to see and remember again what is possible when the main purpose of education becomes the creation of who and what we choose to be."
That is exactly what I was searching for last night. I find it funny that it was there in my dresser drawer all this time, but it took me finally asking the Universe for a little help to finally find my way to those inspiring words. I read the first chapter, in which he discusses the principle of suspended judgement, and I had to find a notebook to write down the flood of ideas that followed. I thought of ways my students could safely express their anger. I thought of alternatives to rest time for my little wiggleworms (this is something that drives me nuts), ideas that won't require any extra effort on my part. I thought of some new ideas for logical consequences on the playground.
The best part? These ideas feel right. They allow me to honor the children's spirits while still maintaining order (and my sanity). The ideas just flowed, and they are still coming.
Also, I happened to glance through the Appendix, and in it I found a website for educators interested in this new way of teaching (and being). There are workshops, online courses, and newsletters. The courses sounded empowering to me, and I am confident that the Universe will provide a way for me to attend.
It doesn't end there. The school secretary called me in this morning to tell me that my most challenging student moved over the weekend. It brought tears to my eyes because I truly felt like the Universe heard me and cared enough to respond in a big way. I do love that student, and I think that he will be better served in a larger district with special services. In addition, I will have much more time to focus on the other students. I believe that the Universe found the most loving solution for us both.
To top off my magnificent day, I received a very encouraging e-mail from my sister that reminded me to be gentle with myself (thank you!). I also had an all-day volunteer who decorated my classroom for the holidays while my students and I had an all-day art party. I will be washing glitter out of my hair (and eyeballs) for some time to come.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Just last night, I wrote the following:
So the questions I am facing now are these: how do I run such a classroom? What are the tools that I need? Who will support me in this? How do I teach these things in addition to what is required by the district? How do I keep myself in the state of mind that is necessary to maintain this type of environment? The big one- how can I let go of the things that don't matter, but I want so badly to control?
A few hours later, I was snugged in bed when I remembered a book that I purchased a while back but never got around to reading. It is called Spirit Whisperers: Teachers Who Nourish a Child's Spirit by Chick Moorman. I dug it out of my dresser, read the back cover, and I was hooked:
"Spirit Whisperers are "way showers." They show us that real education has nothing to do with covering content, but is now and has always been a drawing out of what already exists in the student rather than a putting in of what we see as necessary to fill perceived deficiencies.
Spirit Whisperers are "hope givers." They give us hope that we can create an educational system that doesn't perceive failure, that grants dignity without it needing to be earned, that holds a child in a state of grace, even as appropriate consequences are implemented.
Spirit Whisperers help us lift our eyes, our hearts, and our spirits to see and remember again what is possible when the main purpose of education becomes the creation of who and what we choose to be."
That is exactly what I was searching for last night. I find it funny that it was there in my dresser drawer all this time, but it took me finally asking the Universe for a little help to finally find my way to those inspiring words. I read the first chapter, in which he discusses the principle of suspended judgement, and I had to find a notebook to write down the flood of ideas that followed. I thought of ways my students could safely express their anger. I thought of alternatives to rest time for my little wiggleworms (this is something that drives me nuts), ideas that won't require any extra effort on my part. I thought of some new ideas for logical consequences on the playground.
The best part? These ideas feel right. They allow me to honor the children's spirits while still maintaining order (and my sanity). The ideas just flowed, and they are still coming.
Also, I happened to glance through the Appendix, and in it I found a website for educators interested in this new way of teaching (and being). There are workshops, online courses, and newsletters. The courses sounded empowering to me, and I am confident that the Universe will provide a way for me to attend.
It doesn't end there. The school secretary called me in this morning to tell me that my most challenging student moved over the weekend. It brought tears to my eyes because I truly felt like the Universe heard me and cared enough to respond in a big way. I do love that student, and I think that he will be better served in a larger district with special services. In addition, I will have much more time to focus on the other students. I believe that the Universe found the most loving solution for us both.
To top off my magnificent day, I received a very encouraging e-mail from my sister that reminded me to be gentle with myself (thank you!). I also had an all-day volunteer who decorated my classroom for the holidays while my students and I had an all-day art party. I will be washing glitter out of my hair (and eyeballs) for some time to come.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
posted by BlossomingSoul at
4:56 PM
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