Finding the JOY in Teaching!

 

Domonique Dickson is a 4th grade teacher in Maryland and she shares her three steps for rediscovering your purpose in the classroom in an opinion post she submitted to Education Week. Take a read and see what you think...To read the full post and learn more about each of the 3 steps, click HERE.

Mindfulness

There is stress everywhere. We can not change that. It is a stressful time to be in education. The good news?  We can choose how stress impacts us! No one can take that choice away from us. It is our our choice, we get to own it, how we let stress impact us and our daily lives. One way to combat stress is to practice mindfulness. Click here to access Headspace for Educators, a mindfulness routine. 

Listening Circles

When you feel you may need to connect, listen, and/or be heard try Listening Circles with your fellow educators. The Listening Circle is a wonderful way to explore and deepen our practice, opening to loving guidance in these times of intense global and personal change. 

Listening Circles are a part of Restorative Practices. A Listening Circle is a small group (4-6 people) with one facilitator asking the questions. These circles allow for voices to be heard and us to understand common themes in our schools and community. 

 

The following are possible questions that could be asked: 

·         Name and what brought you to this circle? 

·         What have you been thinking or feeling since the school year began? 

·         What is the hardest thing for you? 

·         What is something in your control that you can do in the coming days         and weeks?

 

It’s important that everyone knows the questions prior so that nobody feels put on the spot or like they don’t understand what you are signing up for. 

A possible agenda for Listening Circles may look like this:

• Welcome Staff and introduce self 
• Explain history of Listening Circles 
• State questions we will be answering 
• Have staff split up into groups of 4-6 people (choose your own group) 
• Facilitators start Listening Circle 
• Come back together for common themes and closing questions 
• AFTER STAFF LEAVE- meet with facilitators to collect all common themes discussed to keep as reference and share (no staff names will be written down with this info) 

The Reflection in ME

 

Educators, " To me, you are PERFECTLY PERFECT." Look into the mirror. What do you see? Spy on yourself when you answer these questions. How many positives did you give your reflection. Click here to watch this important, short clip. The Reflection in Me

Try it again. Look into the mirror. What do you see? Keep going. Push yourself to name as many positives as you can. Write these thoughts on sticky notes. Line these sticky notes in a place that you see a lot. Perhaps your work computer screen? Or your bathroom mirror? " To me, you are PERFECTLY PERFECT."

Embracing My WHY

Times for educators are filled with joy and they are filled with the hard. When you are finding yourself swimming in the hard, remember your WHY. Breathe into your WHY. Pause on your WHY. Reflect on your WHY. Watch this clip to leave inspired with your WHY: Click here. Rita Pierson: Every kid needs a champion | TED