Kathy took this picture last weekend. They finished a day cleaning the farmhouse and it is livable. The sun, after a dreary day, appeared and the sky was awash with golden rays. I feel this way in the classroom. I love what I do. I am whole and find voice. I am a learner, a teacher, and the two are inseparable, but I remind my self to be mindful and give thanks.
Fleetingly framed
Trees against golden skyline
Nature paints day’s end.
Glorious moment
Sky awash with golden light
I am fulfilled.
Kathy and I walk in the North Saskatchewan River valley 3 or 4 times a week. As we walked today and came across this scene, it reminded of the Pete Seeger melody Turn, Turn, Turn using words adapted from Book of Ecclesiastes.
To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven.
I think this one says it all. Cartoon characters have fewer worries than us humans, even Charlie Brown.
In our classroom, we use a conversation circle. I use it as a time to clarify things from my perspective and allow students to speak about what they would like to do. At other times, we talk about upcoming events. Today in the conversation circle, each student introduced themselves to the group, which seems like a small thing, but sometimes goes unattended in classrooms. I also asked the students about what they want for complementary courses. This is an outgrowth of the conversation circles we held last year. Students want a voice in their learning.
We use a ‘talking stick.’ The person with the ‘talking stick’ is the speaker and others listen. In an era of digital technologies, the stick reinforces a protocol of face-to-face conversation which we increasingly need in our world. The ‘talking stick’ was a gift from a parent last year. She is a member of a First Nation so it has some traditional meaning attached to its design.
The wood is driftwood which came from a local lake and reflects nature’s contributions to the circle. Someone carved a bear head into the top of the stick. In some traditions, the bear symbolizes courage, freedom, and power. The feather is from a hawk. Hawks are visionary and guide the person. The coloured ribbons represent the four directions in the circle. The parent attached a medicine bag. The medicine bag heals, guides and protects, and has materials or objects of value to its carrier.
Kathy took this at the farm the other day. She called the Sun Set Tree. The sun briefly reached out and shone some rays down on an otherwise dreary day.
Blurry silhouette
Unnoticed against leaden backdrop
Feel so lonely.
The sun smiles gently
Shares tentative rays.
I receive its warming glow
Gather strength.
Reveal that hidden among shadows
Stretch boldly.
Smile with Brother Sun
A sacred moment.
I compare the world of blogging to living in a small community. We meet each and acknowledge each other. We get to know some people better than others, but recognize something unique in each other.
Mimi from Waiting for the Karma Truck recently honoured me with The Booker Award and I am grateful she recognized me.
I look forward to Mimi’s each day. She shares various gifts and lessons from life, work, and, family. She provides wisdom drawn from those sources through her blog, public presentations, and writing.
The fun and challenging aspect of this particular award is to list my five favorite books. Similar to Mimi I can’t do that, but I offer five books which I found compelling at some point. I enjoy reading and this list is sorely incomplete. I read very few fictional books, but that is a product of the doctoral journey I undertook.
The Alchemist – Paolo Coehlo (actually any book by this Brazilian author is a worthy read).
To Kill A Mockingbird – Harper Lee (I cheated and left this on from Mimi’s list, but it was and remains an outstanding social justice reminder).
The Executioners – John D. MacDonald (I read almost anything by this author. This book became Cape Fear, but he is famous for a pulp fiction character Travis McGee).
The Courage to Teach – Parker J. Palmer (I first read Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak before returning to university for my education degree and read this author extensively.
Why I Wake Early – Mary Oliver (I could have included a number of this poet’s books or books by Wendell Berry, Billy Collins, Robert Frost, etc. I love poetry).
I nominate others who I hope can add into our libraries and expand our literary worlds. I tried to expand and move beyond those who received earlier awards from me. I think their blogs are diverse and we will receive a range of new ideas for our ‘cosmic library.’
I tap into the libraries of:
Kathy was at the farm this weekend and found school notes she thought came from about Grade 10. I promised I would not say what year, but I was taken aback by how little things change over time. The “angry young poet” emerged from within.
The Establishment
They know best for the rest
Indoctrinate
Not change
Recall non-existent good old days.
Disagreement
Simply wrong-headed
Rebels
Who are we to question?
They have it made
Material wealth
Exclusionary tactics
Depend on them to know best.
Maintain existing order
Demand allegiance
Or cannot enter
Fail to practice what preach.
I keep blurry pictures. They remind me life is not always in sharp focus and there are times to step back, pause, and reflect.
The spirit wearies
A voice from within speaks
Seeks reflective time.
Quietly turn inward
Listen to an inner voice
Seek counsel and wisdom.
Pay homage and celebrate
While pain reveals character
New paths carved into wilderness.
Cherish each moment’s gift
Arrival and departure
Grateful for life.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 