Yesterday at work I was given the privilege to escort an elderly gentleman from one of our treatment rooms to the waiting room where his sweet wife was waiting patiently for him. The couple’…
Source: Capturing Life’s Precious Moments
Whatever our job, it should inspire us in extraordinary ways. Tina‘s post makes that point so well.
Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us that we find the extraordinary in the ordinary. When we pause, enjoy the moment, and our mindful, we share what is important to us with others. We make the world a better place.
When I taught, I loved being in the classroom with students and sharing with them in many ways. What I found important was that, when I enjoyed what I was doing, they enjoyed it, as well. One student told his mother that he could not understand why he enjoyed Social Studies that year as he had not before. She answered, “When the teacher is enthusiastic and lets you sense that, that is what happens.”
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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 
During this hospital stay. I’ve met so many nice people. It is easy to identify the ones who are really friendly and the one following policy. They are the ones who greet, speak caring but fail to smile. Their negative vibe is truly felt.
They stand out. I remember driving out to visit my Dad for the last time. When I got to the hospital, the nurse knew who I was when I walked in. She was excited to see me and told me Dad had asked about me all day.
Small gifts may bring large amounts of joy to others.
From Schindlers List: if you save one, you may save the world.
Even in saving one, we save the world for them. It reminds me of the starfish story where the boy is putting them back in the water, knowing he cannot save them all.
It seems to prove the point that when you put out good feelings, those around you pick up on those feelings without even trying. We radiate our feelings whether positive or negative, so why not make them positive so others will feel good.
What we put out is paid back in some form. You are so right to say, “Why not be postive?”
It’s an awful shame that some teachers are just going through the motions and actually discourage learning in our young.There is much to discourage teachers in today’s education environment and I hate to see their enthusiasm slowly crushed out of them.
Maybe it’s time to see if the educational establishment isn’t overcrowded at the top rather than in schools and see if there isn’t something to be done to bring the old style of enthusiastic teacher back. Reduce class sizes, have teaching aides, offer teachers better protection in schools?
Hugs
I think you have used the right words David. “Slowly crushed” is how I think the enthusiasm leaves teachers. We are often not aware of it as it happens. I am not sure what the solution is. Some things I think might help are have the local community more involved, make the schools smaller so they serve the local community and are part of it, and reduce the bureaucracy.
I totally understand that feeling of being “crushed”. Our schools are geared these days for the mandatory testing instead of teaching for living in the real world. The enjoyment for teachers and students has been removed…at least here in Ohio. I’m glad I’m retired and don’t have to play these educational games.
I think the lack of joy is becoming an epidemic in many places. John Dewey argued that we should teach in a ways that conserve the good, discard that which is no longer useful, and bring in the new in each teaching/learning experience.
I was so encouraged visiting my daughter’s school this week. They have two pet rabbits in the classroom, which are incorporated into their learning and they take turns taking care of them. The teacher was so thoughtful and embracing of all the children. It was lovely.
I am still in touch intermittently with my year 5 teacher from over 30 years ago. That’s the mark of a great teacher.
Great post!
xx Rowena
I feel good about my teaching when a student approaches me. Quite often, it is students who I do not remember their names, until they tell me. It has happened in stores, airports, restaurtants, etc. It is a reminder of the importance teachers play in lives.
Today I attended out Spring Home Show and a former student said I was one of her favorite teachers and she paid my entrance fee. Another student gave me a hug when I told him how proud I was of all he does for our community. Those special touches show that students definitely keep memories of their teachers for a long time.
It always makes me feel good when I meet former students and they remember me in similar ways.
I subbed for awhile, but realized I didn’t have the stamina to teach within a system. I give huge kudos to those who are able to do just that. And those who inspire students are beyond priceless. I still remember all my great teachers, down through the (many) years. Aloha, Ivon.
Actually, I found sub.bing much harder than teaching on a regular basis. I never felt grounded like I did when I was in the same place with the same students every day.
Yes, I’ve heard this from several teachers.