Several years ago, I arrived home, after spending time in Spokane. I struggled in the first few days back and reflected on what was happening. Quite often, I resist routine and find it is hard work.
Rarely, are we alone in our travails. It is universal Real change, transformation is slow, purposeful, and patient process. Upon looking at pictures we took on our travels and for all of nature’s ability to sometimes erupt and change rapidly, most change is slow and transformational. For the most part, deep change, transforming, in nature is a great model to observe.
I wrote the following poem in response to those reflections.
Waiting,
Impatient–
Desiring more
Leaning into headwinds,
Transforming–
Slow, patient, with purpose
Lacking blueprint.
Journeying,
With one’s self–
With companions,
Breaking bread,.
Trusting–
Devoting,
Changing together.
Embracing,
No explaining,
Words unnecessary–
Smiling assurances.
Looking back,
Revealing worn paths–
Sharing,
Sheltering one another
Pressing ahead–
Certain in uncertainty.
I took the picture on the way to Kootenai Lake in Glacier National Park. Even on a well worn path, there is a limited view of what is behind and ahead. As well, there are many things hidden along the path, there and invisible. There is always a trust in other people and in the path as I move ahead with purpose. Paradox exists in the feeling of certainty in an always uncertain world.
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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 
Beautiful and love your surrender to transformation that happens oh so naturally❤️
Thank you Barbara.
Certain in uncertainty. Love it. We are there. 🙏
We are in so many ways there. Take care and stay safe
Thank you!
“certain in uncetainty” A great ending to as always a beautiful poem. Plus it reminded me of when I was in Spokane, I lived in Seattle but went to visit there. Beautiful place, and I was at the time certain in my uncetainty.
Thank you Charly. Yes, it is a beautiful place. The drive over from Seattle is breathtaking.
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