Last week, I wrote Mojo Gathers Momentum. A gift of my journey to Bainbridge was the realization I had lost the belief I was a good teacher. I have never believed this was my place to speak to that. There is a certain humility a teacher should have and extends beyond patting myself on the back. What I do know and recognize is I am different teacher. I have modeled my approach after teachers I believed operated on the margins and accepted that is their place. It was a place that they could do more good for students and the communities we live in.
false security
when hidden
yet, fully surrounded–
paradox of my humanness.
stand out
reveal blemishes
make them obvious
revel in them.
great teachers
found comfort on the margins
not hidden in the crowd
stepped out with pride.
humanness lived;
so fully
it reveals imperfections
for I am human, after all.
About ivonprefontaine
In keeping with bell hooks and Noam Chomsky, I consider myself a public and dissident intellectual. Part of my work is to move beyond (transcend) institutional dogmas that bind me to defend freedom, raising my voice to be heard on behalf of those who seek equity and justice in all their forms.
I completed my PhD in Philosophy of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. My dissertation and research was how teachers experience becoming teachers and their role as leaders.
I focus on leading, communicating, and innovating in organizations. This includes mindfuful servant-leadership, World Cafe events, Appreciative Inquiry, and expressing one's self through creativity. I offer retreats, workshops, and presentations that can be tailored to your organzations specific needs.
I published peer reviewed articles about schools as learning organizations, currere as an ethical pursuit, and hope as an essential element of adult eductaion. I published three poems and am currently preparing my poetry to publish as an anthology of poetry.
I present on mindful leadership, servant leadership, schools as learning organizations, how teachers experience becoming teachers, assessement, and critical thinking. I facilitate mindfulness, hospitality retreats. and World Cafe Events using Appreciative Inquiry.
I am writing and researching about various forms of leadership, how teachers inform and form their identity as a particular teacher, schools as learning organizations, hope and its anticipatory relationship with the future, and hope as an essential element in learning.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
Yes, Ivon; it is indeed a difficult thing to accept our uniqueness, and yet, there it is staring us in the face waiting patiently for our recognition… It is also a difficult thing to step forward in that uniqueness, and yet what are we if we do not…
I had not seen it in that light. Thank you for the wise words. They give me a place of reflection to work from.
The world always benefits from those magical teachers who are willing to go above and beyond, coloring outside the lines — if that’s what it takes to inspire another mind. 🙂 YOU are ONE of them, Ivon. Thanks for all that you do!! Huge hugs…
Thank you for your kindness.
You are a busy person. Working on your doctorate, teaching, blogging. What else do you do?
We go to a few concerts and I still do a little work in ice hockey. It keeps me out of trouble and off the streets.
I guess!!! Good for you!
Great anything, is few and far between. Most of us try to do our job well. And that usually includes overcoming certain limitations and blemishes. I am very grateful for the teachers I’ve had… even those who were far from perfect. The role of the teacher is very difficult, and not always appreciated… but their students know how much they’ve gained from them, and hold them dear, regardless of blemishes.
Those are profound words Shimon. I think they are accurate. All great teachers revealed their limitations.
In my childhood we were terrified of our teachers, changed days. 🙂
It’s not an easy job, but I’m sure even with your limitations you are making a wonderful difference in the lives of those blessed by your teachings.
Thank you Elizabeth.
I have a feeling Ivon that you are a profoundly effective teacher..unique yes, with an approach that resonates in the way a song returns to memory over and over again, leaving you humming the chorus at the most unexpected times. That is a gift.
Thank you Mimi. I appreciate the kind words. I am finding myself more on a positive journey these last couple of months, back to where I was a few years ago.
That is wonderful to hear!
Always enjoy your posts, teashing is a gift and those who realize that become memorable, those who consider teaching as just another job miss the joy of creating our future through students
I agree wholeheartedly.
Teaching is one occupation in which we can completely lose ourselves – it is this process of recalling who we are, in all of our humanness, that keeps us connected to the ones we serve, and connected to who we are and are becoming. It is the learning and growing we do ourselves that will ultimately decide our relevance in our profession, isn’t it?
Your words echo Parker Palmer: “Who is the self that teaches?” He argued that is the most important question so it is important not to be lost.
Blessings to you Ivon and Happy Elections Day!
Thank you for the kindness.
You’re welcome.
I especially like this one, Ivon!
Russ
That you ask yourself the question, demonstrates the care and compassion you have for your students. No, Ivon, I’m not a buyer at all that you are not a good teacher. I learn from your posts each day.
Thank you David. I am finding and rekindling a deep-seated belief it is OK to be different in a profession where sameness seems to prevail.
To be human is to be imperfect. To admit blemishes takes courage because we make ourselves vulnerable. But vulnerability is the key to connection. And what is life is we have no connection. P.S. Embracing our uniqueness is a wonderful thing. Embrace it. Celebrate it!
Thank you for a wonderful comment Kristin. I try embrace the blemishes and the messiness of my life. It makes it more worthwhile and deepens the connections.
In reading and writing, I always prefer a character that is only human. “Mary Sue” is shorthand for the perfect heroine that no one really believes in or relates to. I am glad to know that you too are human!
I am too.