For all you teachers out there......

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 12:50:00 -0400

Teaching is a great job! It is a lot of work to become a good one and a high calling to be the kind of teacher our students need. Here is a quote that captures this thought perfectly:

LIFE IS AMAZING, AND A TEACHER BETTER BE PREPARED TO BE A MEDIUM FOR THAT AMAZEMENT.

- Edward Blishen -

Jon

Something to be said about clarity...

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 21:15:00 -0500

Saw this picture and was reminded of how important it is to be clear. I can't imagine what it must be like to be a driver reaching this intersection. I wonder if this is what it is like to live in a relativistic society...

Jon

One thing I've learned...

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Thu, 6 Oct 2005 13:50:00 -0400

I'm only a young teacher. I've only been in this amazing profession 8 years now. Everyday has been fantastic and ever year I seem to enjoy it more and more; this, despite the fact I hear so much negativity surrounding class sizes, behaviour of students, lack of funds in Boards, teaching hours and missing prep time. To be honest, I've had a hard time jumping on any of these bandwagons, partly because sometimes ignorance is bliss (what you don't know can't worry you!), but mostly because of perspective.

I think I got part of it from my grandma who experienced some pretty disturbing events in her life, but through it all, managed to be one of the most positive people I ever knew. Her working philosophy was basically, "the things in the past are in the past and can't be changed. Learn from the things you can't change, but work hard to change the things you can".

I also appreciated the things my parents put into me, which helped to decipher the things that "really matter", like the importance of close relationships, generosity to others and serving others.

In the teaching world, there are a LOT of things you can busy yourself with; things that will consume your time (and your mind if you let it), leaving no room to put your hand to the important things. I guess if there's one thing I've learned so far, is to come into work everyday, ready personally armed with the right perspective. I need to place the important things in the front of my mind before I take on the day- things like:

I have the awesome privilige of joining my colleagues in serving these kids today. If I don't, there may not be anyone else.
Every student I meet deserves the best I can give. Greet them by name. Smile. Say hello. Make myself open to them. There is an amazing impact when there is consistent positive voice into their lives
If I can administrate my day well, it will release me to spend quality time with them
Encourage my colleagues and be a positive voice in their lives
Find some strength in everyone, and let them know it.
At the end of it all, the work will be history. It will be the relationships that continue.

The have been a lot of life-giving voices in my life, and for all of them I am grateful. They have equipped me with a positive perspective; just what I need to be the kind of teacher my students need.

Jon

a l i v e & a w a k e - teaching_and_learning

For all you teachers out there......

Something to be said about clarity...

One thing I've learned...