The Glitter Path: Individual Sparkles, Waves of Light

The sun, the source of all life on Earth, is unrelenting in its luminosity. Knowledge and growth the birth of change and progress. To bask in their brilliance is universal. With the daily cycle comes their hubris of pinks and oranges, both painting the sky and erasing the darkness, the stillness. Spawning the din of interaction, progress and continuance. Both polished and persistent they make their way through shaded windows and tinted glass, they can be refracted and even blocked but they will make their way around any obstacle to cover all surfaces exposed to them. The sun generates the process of photosynthesis, forming the oxygen we breathe. It warms the chilliest of days, brightens the grayest skies of winter and illuminates our shadows reminding us of our impermanence. While knowledge, both personal and timeless steers the current of change.

A glitter path is the reflection of a light source, most often the sun, off a water surface covered by small waves and ripples. In a classroom, this path can take many forms: student conversations, class discussions even brief lectures but they all result in an epiphany of sorts, the moment it all makes sense. Focusing the light for all to see. The pieces fall in to place and this enlightenment begins the personal journey of further exploration. These small reflecting surfaces of the faces of the waves and ripples, are everywhere, in every nook and cranny of the classroom, sparkling an effervescence seen and felt by all. It forms the curiosity that drives a student-centered classroom. With each ripple reminding the group that more knowledge is yet to come.

This gleam, twinkle, glimmer causes many individual tinsels which add up to a distorted reflection of the light source. Redirecting the light in every direction. But at that perfect moment where light and surface unite: All the voices of the classroom each vital and radiant shapes the beam of light. A perfect harmony of time, luminescence and water. Glitter paths are the myriad of individual glints - instantaneous reflections of the moon or sun – every voice in the classroom. These appear like clockwork as predictable as the sunrise, from facets of the undulating and shifting liquid surface each crest an idea, each trough an action. Each wave bringing to shore the collaborative efforts of the sum.

Glitter paths are usually associated with the sun reflected off water, though they can be formed by any slightly uneven reflective surface. In a classroom, this naturally occurs because with each individual opinion and personality there arises the angles and curvatures of a well-functioning learning environment. The enhanced reflection or refraction of light, is generally strongest when looking towards a low sun or moon or in the classroom a common vision, a unified mission and an agreed upon goal. These glows, bows and halos of light each illuminating and enhancing the community as a hole. Each flicker bringing in to focus a new set of data, a new mindset and a beautiful piece of familiarity, awareness and wisdom.

The classroom is only one surface where glitter paths can be seen. They appear in the teacher’s lounge when colleagues speak to one another and share ideas. They come into focus in the hallway when students and teachers are smiling and excited to be at school. They shine brightly when an educator feels they make a difference, when those around them support them and encourage them. They are the most apparent when seas are not calm, but agitated, roused and passionate. They form when change is occurring, when risks are being taken and most often when joy and mindfulness are aglow. They are present as soon as we accept them into our realm of possibility. As soon as we recognize that to make a focused beam of light, collaboration and empathy must be common place. That we must see past apathy and fear that may blind us temporarily and open the windows letting both collaboration and innovation shine through. Glitter paths will be visible every day once we unite as educators, as teachers and students and as human beings.