I am proud to be an educator.
I feel privileged to work in the field of education on a daily basis. It's very challenging and demanding work. Yet it is often joyful, rewarding and, at times, positively miraculous.
Educators are profound cultural workers. We communicate, transmute and, if we have a critical and holistic vision, transform culture through our work. In formal educational settings, we teach the skills and concepts necessary to engage meaningfully in the world through literacy, numeracy, scientific inquiry, athletics and the arts. We assess, cajole, praise, and deliver consequences when necessary. In addition to this, our role is to create an emotionally secure environment so that learning can happen without fear, intimidation and threats to the integrity of our students.
This year, our school has committed to running a weekly whole school circle. Based on traditional ways of being in community, the circle is where we sit as equals. This initiative started in September, and we have all (teachers and students alike) noticed how our strong sense of community has been enhanced by this weekly one hour commitment. Passing around the talking piece and offering each person within the school a chance to express themselves and be heard has been profound. Tears, laughter, silence and wise-beyond-their-years insights have woven us closer together and made us all more real to one another. Bullying at our school is at a true low.
This circle, backed by a strong anti-bullying policy and commitment to emotional safety that has been in place since the school's inception, has become the place where we make authentic communication and respect a living, integrated reality. It is sacred time during the week because it is the space where we:
....are seen
....are heard
....are different
....are similar
....agree
....see things from diverse perspectives
Through the powerful simplicity of the circle, we remember that we are interconnected.
I feel privileged to work in the field of education on a daily basis. It's very challenging and demanding work. Yet it is often joyful, rewarding and, at times, positively miraculous.
Educators are profound cultural workers. We communicate, transmute and, if we have a critical and holistic vision, transform culture through our work. In formal educational settings, we teach the skills and concepts necessary to engage meaningfully in the world through literacy, numeracy, scientific inquiry, athletics and the arts. We assess, cajole, praise, and deliver consequences when necessary. In addition to this, our role is to create an emotionally secure environment so that learning can happen without fear, intimidation and threats to the integrity of our students.
This year, our school has committed to running a weekly whole school circle. Based on traditional ways of being in community, the circle is where we sit as equals. This initiative started in September, and we have all (teachers and students alike) noticed how our strong sense of community has been enhanced by this weekly one hour commitment. Passing around the talking piece and offering each person within the school a chance to express themselves and be heard has been profound. Tears, laughter, silence and wise-beyond-their-years insights have woven us closer together and made us all more real to one another. Bullying at our school is at a true low.
This circle, backed by a strong anti-bullying policy and commitment to emotional safety that has been in place since the school's inception, has become the place where we make authentic communication and respect a living, integrated reality. It is sacred time during the week because it is the space where we:
....are seen
....are heard
....are different
....are similar
....agree
....see things from diverse perspectives
Through the powerful simplicity of the circle, we remember that we are interconnected.
This piece, like all of the pieces here, is awesome. Great job! Reading through the work here is inspiring. I find these thoughtful, centered, and relevant. The messages are somehow personal and universal, 'every-day' and yet spiritual. I never thought I would see cultural reference points as diverse and interesting as here. And what a gifted and natural writer. Keep on keepin' on and many blessings!............
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brian; I am glad you are enjoying the pieces.
ReplyDeleteI feel the connections you have made. It enlightens, blesses and honors my life, and my ancestors the way you use the Talking Stick, and the simple techniques of thought and action you employ to produce better students. In ways impossible to convey from a keyboard I love and respect you and the rippling effect of your introspective approach to educating the children entrusted to you. You are fulfilling a prophecy!
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