Only four students attended today. These students struggle with school for various reasons. I think it is because they are cast aside by adults. They want adults in their lives to set boundaries and be real. I asked a student what he had learned after we completed a Math question together. He responded you are always right, meaning me. I made a mistake in my calculations. We laughed. I told another student I did not like Math when I went to school either. When adults lighten up and are genuine they make an impact on children who need help.
William Stafford reminded us to be genuinely human, cut loose, and have fun. Parker Palmer suggested: “Teachers live on the most vulnerable intersection of public and private life.” Yes, we are vulnerable , but children and adolescents smell the disingenuous when we are not authentic.
Sometimes from sorrow, for no reason,
you sing. For no reason, you accept
the way of being lost, cutting loose
from all else and electing a world
where you go where you want to.
Arbitrary, a sound comes, a reminder
that a steady center is holding
all else. If you listen, that sound
will tell you where it is and you
can slide your way past trouble.
Certain twisted monsters
always bar the path — but that’s when
you get going best, glad to be lost,
learning how real it is
here on earth, again and again.
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, nonviolence and its anticipatory relationship with the future, as essential elements to teaching and learning.
Academic publications can be found at Ivon Gile Prefontaine on ResearchGate
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
Amen and amen!!
Thank you for the lovely comment.
I had the same experience as a school student… “Twisted monsters”.. I like that.
It was a line that caught my eye, as well. We treat obstacles in life that way and quite often they are not very real.
Hi, Ivon. ‘ve nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Find your link and the rules at http://4writersandreaders.com/2013/04/25/very-inspiring-blogger-award-2/ HAPPY BLOGGING! Bette
Thank you Bette. This is much appreciated. Take care and have a wonderful day.
Bravo! Appreciate this.
Thank you Jamie. Have a wonderful day.
… and you, Ivon.
I agree, kids like it when you let your guard down, and usually respond well to a more equal playing field every now and then.
They want genuine in adults and the relationships they build with adults. Many of these kids are part of the “disposability” of our world. Yet, many are creative and exceptional problem solvers because they have to be.
Once upon a time I subbed at a high school. It was in a class of “bad” students. I was handed a pad & a pen & was told to not hesitate to send anyone to the office if needed.
I went in – introduced myself & told them what the deal was. They said that they didn’t like their assigned seats & I told them that they cold move on the condition that I didn’t have to send any of them to the office. They worked in pairs on their math & I didn’t have to send any of them from any class to the office.
I’m not a teacher – never got certified – & ended up going in a different direction. I thank God for the patient & loving teachers out there. I’ve been blessed to have several throughout my school years & so have my kids.
RoSy, that is a great story. You met the kids where they were and were authentic in your concern for them. They sense that.
It appears people like to be related with at their level.
I agree Alex. We discussed concepts of personal space yesterday. Some students think “school is stupid” and tell me that. When I respond and tell them I agree with some of their points and we try make sense of it together, that brings them into the conversation as a participant. They learn without realizing they are learning. We did a bit of check list at the ed of the day and found we had touched on the four core subjects.
This is wonderful !
True thoughts , real truth!
Thank you.
When I was student teaching I had the good fortune of working with a teacher with the same passion and appreciation for children that you reflect in your writing. I would imagine your students are so very lucky to have you as their teacher and guide.
Thank you Mimi. think most days they would agree. I was fortunate to work with a teacher when I was student teaching who found ways to integrate structure and creativity so fluidly in his work. I think that role model cannot be underestimated in our work as teachers and learners.
Take care and have a wonderful day.
Very much enjoyed this, Ivon… How human we feel when others allow their humanity to shine through…!
Thank you Carolyn for the wonderful words.
I love that you are a math teacher and a poetry lover. We make too many divisions, and that wasn’t supposed to be a math pun. 🙂
Well, my background is actually Phys Ed and French which I have not taught for several years. The Math was added this year and I just go with the flow. The poetry is a return to youthful expressiveness.
I enjoy reading your posts. Very inspirational.
Thank you David.