Happy Christmas

One of the biggest benefits to teaching is the holidays. No, I don't mean the actual time off work, although it is a welcome break. Rather it is the infectious joy that comes from being around children during special occassions. It is a time when you cannot help but become caught up in their excitement and enthusiasm. At Christmas, we are also able to let go a bit of our need to achieve, we can relax and forget about deadlines and merely do things because they are fun and we know the kids will enjoy them. In the New Year try to remember that and let it guide you through the more hectic times and perhaps give you some clarity. Maybe the need to always be accomplishing something and our mania over due dates and expectations is largely self made. In the long term we will finish what we need to do and what doesn't get completed on time can wait for another date. Try to keep things exciting and fresh. Have fun while you are learning together. Happy Christmas and all the best for 2011.

Life As A Theme

In an effort to develop a more holistic approach to education, many boards and individual schools are pushing character development in the curriculum. Often, each month has a featured theme such as caring and kindness, responsibility or empathy. While this may be well intentioned, it can often become lost as just another concept kids learn and then throw away, like long division. If you are involved in this project please be sure that kids understand that these traits are not like a light that you can turn on or off because someone is watching. Rather they are all interconnected and come from an awareness of others, from being able to see and hear others deeply. We may recognize one particular characteristic each month, but when we truly practice mindfulness, when we move away from ego and start to see the rest of the world, our whole being radiates all of these qualities with no effort at all. In fact, we can't help but show them in everything we say and do.

A Treasure In Stories

There is a legend about a powerful warrior who spent most of his life conquering and pillaging kingdoms and monasteries. In one such monastery he had little trouble breaking through the gates and massacring many of the monks. However, suddenly an old monk jumped out in front of his horse. The warrior angrily shouted. “Old man, do you know who I am? Do you know that I can run you through with my sword and not give it a second thought?” Calmly the monk replied, “Brave knight, do you know who I am? I can let you can run me through with your sword and not give it a second thought.” It is said that at that moment, the knight was so overwhelmed he dropped his sword and vowed to follow the master.

Stories such as this are wonderful ways of teaching about true power and insight. Kids love old legends and folk tales and they have many opinions about the meaning of this and other similar stories. When you are teaching values, go back to the traditional stories from cultures around the world. They are a storehouse of wisdom and will be the springboard to many an engaging and rewarding conversation.

What Do Your Kids See?

As teachers we like to use words. In fact, words are an integral part of the job. However, as teachers we also tend to use too many words. Simple advice turns into lectures. Corrections become sermons and requests are often a chance for us to mount a soap box. Remember that kids are people and most people have no desire to be on the receiving end of byzantine babble and self important pontification. There are times when the fireside chat is in order, but a general rule of thumb is that simple is better. Kids will remember how you carry yourself long after they have forgotten your words.

See Yourself

When you look at you kids, take a moment. Do you see them as being the same as you? Or do you put up an immediate barrier that divides pupil from teacher, or child from adult? Yes there are differences in experience and knowledge, but the fact is that we all come from the same source, whatever that may be. In this life we all have the same joys, the same hopes and the same struggles. Your student anguishing over a homework assignment is no less stenuous than your own stresses about finances. They are disimilar and yet the same. Please don't minimize the concerns of your students. At one time in your life they also, were overwhelming to you. Now you have moved on to other issues. But to use an overworked cliche, We are in the same boat. Let's help each other in the journey.

Simplicity

Teaching is really very simple. You have ideas to share, ways to help your kids open to the world, explore their curiosity. It comes from a caring two way communication about life and all it's wonders. In the morass of paper work, guidelines, deadlines and expectations; in your effort to avoid mistakes and offending anyone, to be politically correct, please never forget what it's all about. You are a conduit through which truth can flow to those in your care. Even if you must perform superhuman tasks to meet all that is expected of you, in your heart and your actions, keep it elemental.

Welcoming Back

For those fortunate enough to be returning to the classroom next week, and I do mean fortunate, please consider the following. Come on, we all love our summer break, but if you really are in teaching for the right reasons, you are also more than happy to be with the kids again. Just remember, a car needs time to warm up in the morning. Workers do not generally find memos shoved under their noses immediately upon waking. Neither can our kids come back from the summer life to the reality of school without some time to adjust. There will be plenty of time to put pencil to paper. Make this first few days a time to make the children feel truly comfortable with going back to school. Help them to get to know each other, while you get to know them. Have some fun, make them glad they are there. Show them that perhaps this year, school will be a little different. Maybe they will start to discover something good about themselves they weren't aware of. All of that school work will keep. What you do in the first few days will affect the entire year and then some. Be creative and above all, have some fun.

Coming Home

Many kids have been graced by a peaceful and loving home life. For them school may be an extension of what is already an agreeable lifestyle. However, for many others home may be a place to escape from. Some kids come from places which do not nurture or are possibly abusive. For them, school is a safe haven where the world is predictable and caring. It may be the place where they have a chance at feeling valued and successful. As you return to work this fall, please be mindful that you are largely responsible for helping to make a childs' school life rewarding, encouraging and even inspiring. No matter what you think you know about your kids, you can never be sure where they are coming from. Remember this in everything you do with your students.

No Ego

If you think of the times when you felt the most at peace, the happiest, they were probably times when you were involved in something that you loved, were totally engaged in. Most likely you had no agenda, no expectations and no personal needs. When you are with your kids, how much of what you do involves a sense of urgency, need and validation? Are goals and expectations foremost or is the time spent with your children the most important? Take stock of your motivation when you are in the classroom. Choose your target, plot your course and then put it all on the shelf and enjoy the time you spend with your kids. Involve yourself totally in what you are doing and release yourself from the burden of aims and objectives. If you have done your own homework, be confident that what you do will be considerately more effective if your heart is totally in it and you are not cluttered with personal agendas and self importance. Then the experience will clearly be more meaningful and joyful.

On The Other Side Of The Window

Why do kids gaze out the window when they are in the classroom? The reason is simple, most of the time they would rather be outside than in. Now it's pretty difficult to move our entire inside world, outside. But there are many things that can be done in nature, just as well as in the class. Most of our kids don't get out as much as we maybe used to, and that means there is a huge connection with nature that is being lost. When they get older most of them will work in climate controlled offices and other establishments where their borders are four walls and a ceiling. So when you can, go on as many nature trips as possible, take advantage of every out education opportunity available. But in the meantime, whether it be sun, snow or rain, whenever you can, for goodness sakes get your kids outside. Pick out the different kinds of leaves, see how snow falls, watch how the clouds skid across the sky. There are a million simple lessons to learn and they don't require a desk and a pen. Be creative with it, have fun. You and your kids will be glad you did.

Re-creating Every Day

The universe is not static, it is constantly recreating itself and changing. Try to remember that when you are teaching about the world and universe around us. Many of the laws that we considered immutable have been shown to be outdated and irrelevant today. Take the time to make new discoveries and explore the endless possibilities of existence. Avoid teaching old worn out ideas simply because they are in the textbook. Creation is a mind boggling and wonderous process. Remember that in everything you teach.

"Out there beyond the ideas of right and wrong doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there."

Rumi

We teach our kids to form their own opinions and to be able to take sides on issues. However, when doing this, we need them to know that they do not need to be married to their views. By trying to see both sides of every argument they can avoid the trap of always making judgments and constantly seeing everything as right or wrong. They can then look at situations with compassion and understanding rather than intolerance. And when they have looked at things from all sides they are ready to decide, and when they act on their decision they will act justly and skillfully.

The Value of Service

When I first told my kids that they would be volunteering at an animal rescue mission they thought that I had gone completely mad. They wondered why we would be cleaning animal cages and washing dog dishes for no pay. After the first visit, they could hardly wait for our monthly outing. Kids love to help, but often don't know how. This year, get your children involved in helping out in the community. There are people in nursing homes that would love company or someone to read to them. There are kittens in shelters that need to be played with and cuddled. Be inventive. Once your kids get into the happen of being of service they will likely volunteer all their lives. And they will enrich their own lives and the lives of others.

Time To Wake Up

Most people walk around half asleep, plugged into various devices, checking their texts or simply with their minds on other things. While this is happening, much of life is passing us by. Wonderful and beautiful moments are lost while we are absorbed in other things. Our kids are starting on that path because that is what they have been taught by example. However, we have the chance to help them unlearn these habits by becoming mindful and returning to the moment. A simple bell rung occasionally in class, or a clap of the hand, can be a reminder for all of us to stop for just a moment and return to the present. Slowing our pace down and truly enjoying what we are doing is another way for kids to learn mindfulness. Think of other ways you can help bring your kids and yourself back to the moment, brainstorm with your students. Allowing youth to develop the practice of mindfulness is something that will give true meaning to their lives and help them to savour much of what many people miss.

Breaking Down The Wall

An old legend tells the story of a man who built a garden. When the rain and wind blew, he worried about the garden and built a huge wall and roofed it over. After some time the
plants began to wither and die from the lack of sun and rain. Seeing this, the man tore down the wall and once again the garden flourished. Like the garden, our children need to be able to experience the world without being smothered by our fears. Yes, we will always try to protect them from harm, but we also need to let them take chances, sometimes feel pain and occasionally fall down. By shielding them from every possible hurt, we stunt them and keep them from experiencing all the wonders of life. Let them go just a little bit and see them blossom.

The Wisdom Of The Elders

In most native cultures the elders were revered for their wisdom and experience in life. In many countries throughout the world grandparents lived as part of the extended family. They were invaluable in the rearing and training of children. How many of us can still remember the wonderful stories our grandmothers or grandfathers told us when we were young, and the bond we felt with them? Sadly, much of this tradition has been lost and many kids no longer enjoy the gifts that our elders have to offer. Meanwhile, there are many seniors with wonderful qualities and rich experiences who would be overjoyed to become a part of the lives of our children. Why don't we create a partnership in our schools where our children and the elder citizens of the community can share the joy of learning together? Find ways that seniors can become involved in the school, so they can experience the energy and enthusiasm of our young people. At the same time our children can benefit from their experience, wisdom and patience.

Seeing What Is

Too many of us spend our time worrying about where we should be in our schedule or program. We feel dismay at the fact that the kids are not where we hoped they would be. Often we lament the way the school is run, or complain about the supplies we don't have. It is easy to spend our entire lives upset because things are not the way we feel they are supposed to be. In doing this we miss all of those wonderful moments which occur everyday right under our noses. It takes a lot of courage to accept things for what they are. When we do this we stop our constant complaining and are no longer able to blame others when things aren't quite up to par. Don't confuse this with ignoring problems and doing nothing to improve situations. Rather it is the wisdom of allowing things to be just the way they are at the moment. We then can look clearly around us and decide on where we are going to proceed, without being clouded by wishful thinking and disatisfaction.

St. Francis said it best:
"Grant me the serenity to accept that which I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."

Gratitude

How many people think that life is a constant struggle, that the world owes them something and it usually fails to deliver? How much of this attitude do we pass on to our kids? Realize it is a miracle that you are alive. Remember the beauty of life around you and then help your kids to see the same. Take time during the day to have your kids express gratitude for all that life has to offer. Have them convey gratitude to one another. Don't let the day go by without telling them how much you appreciate them. When you truly see all the blessings you have, your life becomes much more alive and fullfilled. Give your children the opportunity to learn this early in life so that it becomes a way of living.

Deep Listening

When you speak to a child on a personal basis, or when you deal with an issue, how well are you really listening to them? Do you already have a personal agenda before you begin? Deep listening helps you to let go of all your preconceptions and judgments, and you simply listen to what is said without planning your next words or actions. When you deeply listen you are less likely to make a rash decision which will serve neither the child or yourself. Until you deeply listen you cannot really hear what someone else is saying, and you cannot possibly know how to act skillfully.

Deep Seeing

When you look at your kids what do you see? Is your view clouded by your preconceptions and judgments? Is your vision veiled by your idea of what you believe they should be? Or are you able to see beyond all of that and truly see the person inside for what they are, not anything else? When you can answer yes to only the last question, then you are on the road to truly seeing your children and only then will you be able to enjoy something wonderful together.

Truth

Since the title of this blog is Teaching The Truth, let me simply enter a couple of quotes about such.

"If you cling to something as an absolute truth and are caught in it, when the truth comes knocking at your door, you will refuse to let it in."

Buddha

"Truth is not that which can be demonstrated. It is that which simplifies."

Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Wind, Sand and Stars.

Letting Go Of The Need To Control

All children need to learn to respect boundaries and live within the rules set down by the school. However, no child should ever be made to feel that they are helpless in the face of an adult who bullies and tries to dominate and intimidate them. Many teachers need to let of their petty need to control their students and replace it with firm but compassionate guidance so that children always feel that they are heard, valued and respected as fellow humans.

Lighten Up

We all have deadlines, expectations and people down our back. Sometimes in the crush of all this we forget to notice the smiles in the kids faces. We fail to see the humour in the everyday activity of school. Life is not such a serious business as we make it out to be. Take some time to have fun. Look around you at all the opportunities you have to laugh. For crying out loud stop taking yourself so seriously. This whole school gig can be a lot of fun if you step down from your pedestal of self importance and lighten up a bit.