I enjoy the counter cultural nature of Parker Palmer’s writing and the concepts in the Art of Hosting. I write about Parker‘s work often and he describes the listening we need to do to our inner teacher and others as counter cultural. When we invite people into conversation, listen deeply, and ask questions which shake our certainty about the world the same applies.
Today, I walked to the top of Cates Hill here on Bowen Island. It was spectacular. A colleague took this picture as I was writing. Notice I am on high ground and wearing sandals. I got up there of my accord
Perched pensively
Pencil in hand;
My senses alive
I awake–
Aware.
Sounds flow,
A breeze caresses,
Sunlight bathes,
Peaceful moments–
I bask in each.
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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 
I’ve enjoyed Parker Palmer’s writings, but didn’t think anyone else read him! Another great one to read is Joyce Rupp.
Thanks also for your recommendation on David Whyte’s poetry – awesome stuff!
Nancy
Nancy, I have read Parker Palmer for 25 years and he turned me on to others i.e. Thomas Merton and introduced wonderful poets like Mary Oliver and Wendell Berry to me. I will look into Joyce Rupp’s work.
Thank you,
Ivon
Joyce’s book, “Walk in a Relaxed Manner” about walking the Camino is probably her work that I like the best, although I haven’t read anything that I didn’t like. Merton and Nouwen are both great authors too – lots to think about. And yeah, Mary Oliver is tops. I think that’s why David’s work appealed to me when I saw it on your blog and his website.
It’s interesting how much inspiration there can be in a short poem. Thanks to yours I’ve spent nearly an hour discovering things about Bowen Island and Parker Palmer, and I’ve been reminded how important it is to enjoy nature, sensory experience and the fundamental feeling of being alive on this amazing planet. G
I am doing the same with nature. It was an important of my life for years and somehow slipped into the background chased away by the busyness of life. It is interesting how many of us are finding the same things in life are important.
I must read more
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There is an award by the way over at my place lol for you Enjoy!
Thank you.
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You are welcome
A most refreshing Post Ivon…in sight and feel. Thanks.
You are welcome.