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I am posting every day during March as part of the annual "Slice of Life" Challenge for Two Writing Teachers. Check out their website for lots more reflections on teaching.
*******Beware the Ides of March!
(I always say this on March 15th.)
I am not fearing today! I am attending a Mindfulness in Education Network Conference at American University this weekend - yesterday, today, and tomorrow. After day one, I can report - it is awesome! Obviously, no real time to process it all just yet...but I'd love to share some of my notes and get you thinking, too.
Yesterday's sessions were run by Parker Palmer's Center for Courage and Renewal. The umbrella title for the day was "Courageous Schools: Teaching and Leading in Tough Times." There were many provocative discussions.
They shared Parker Palmer's five essential habits of the heart:
- An understanding that we are all in this together.
- An appreciation of the value of "otherness."
- An ability to hold tension in life-giving ways.
- A sense of personal voice and agency.
- A capacity to create community.
Are these true in your classroom? With colleagues? With families? In the whole school community?
How do you build the muscle for dialogue and problem-solving?
What makes it possible to see the gifts of students, teachers, colleagues, parents, other? And what makes it hard?
Can we take different perspectives? How can I get your perspective?
In what ways do we, and can we, model in our community of colleagues what we are expecting of and hoping for students in the classroom?
How do you build the muscle for dialogue and problem-solving?
What makes it possible to see the gifts of students, teachers, colleagues, parents, other? And what makes it hard?
Can we take different perspectives? How can I get your perspective?
In what ways do we, and can we, model in our community of colleagues what we are expecting of and hoping for students in the classroom?
So much to think about! Gotta get over to Day 2 now!
**************
A Story Collage by Ian
Once upon a time, there was a house. And lived, a metro
station over the tracks. And a monkey!
Then I knocked down the metro station. And the monkeys eat you up! The End
Sounds exciting! The five statements were inspiring! Can't wait to learn more. I loved Ian's art. Keep up the hard work.
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful, Maureen, and I'm happy to get your provocative questions! Hope today is terrific too!
ReplyDeleteMindfulness is something I have been thinking a lot about in the past couple years, mindfulness in teachers, mindfulness in students, and mindset that allows for growth. . . Sounds like an interesting conference. . . "Appreciation of the value of "otherness" is really something that strikes a nerve with me---yes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing what you learned!
ReplyDeleteLove this list of five things. I need to take some time to think about this... maybe even through my own writing.