I attended a retreat based on Parker Palmer’s thinking and writing this past weekend. This quote summarizes the importance of relationships and lifting the other from the ordinary to the extraordinary.
If we want to grow as teachers — we must do something alien to academic culture: we must talk to each other about our inner lives — risky stuff in a profession that fears the personal and seeks safety in the technical, the distant, the abstract.
― Parker J. Palmer, The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher’s Life
Consider that we are all teachers…and learners.
What are my personal experiences, fears and dreams? What is my inner life? Am I sharing it with others?
I talk, and listen, to myself, practicing in the safety of my journal.
Laura, it’s time.
Here’s a bit of sharing…My after school kids playing darts in the Number Games class.




This sounds like profound stuff Ivon. I attended a conference a long time ago that dealt with this type of deep approach, but it was more focussed on the kids and their inner landscapes. It changed me forever. It would be nice to discover how this changes you (over time, of course-I realize the implications are felt over time).
I will happily share as time moves on. This is based on the writing and thinking of Parker Palmer. We spend considerable time reflecting on our leadership, sharing what emerges, and writing. It is intense but today I felt so good with the students.
Making the connection is so powerful in teaching and every other relationship in life. Respect. Openess. Vulnerability. Oneness. Love. Especially love. When students know that their teacher loves them, a space can be created for miracles to happen. For some, it may the first time that they’ve experienced the care of a loving adult.
I’m glad that you have chosen not to hide behind technical distant abstractions.
Russ