Hidden: potential, optimism, strength, confidence. We all have these qualities- yet sometimes they allude us. The dirt settles, they get covered with the dust and miasma of a hard days work. They get forgotten because we get so hyper focused on our jobs, our life. These beautiful characteristics at times need to be aired out, like crisp sheets on the clothes line. Refreshed with every gentle breeze.
We get weighted down, our classrooms feel stagnate at times, when we are feeling the loss of movement and interaction. But, we can still have them. We can instill in our students the tools to scavenge and dig, to find these: potential, optimism, strength, confidence. Remind them they possess these powerful tools. Our focus is distracted, diffused like scattered beams of hope. We are all trying to be present, stay motivated- when we are afraid of the virulence of it all.
We need to make sure in our classrooms to dig deep. To open the chests of submersion and discover the shiny excitement and engagement that all of our students are eager to put on display. They are ready to interact whether on zoom or at a desk- they are ready to discuss, collaborate and share ideas. We just have to have safe ways for them to do so.
I used a lot of breakout rooms on Zoom this week. I used round tables in my classroom for discussions. I had 1-minute check-ins. I asked broad questions and let my classes discuss openly on a discussion board and in a verbal conversation. It got noisy- but only temporarily. They on their own figured out a way to make it work. I simply listened and I learned a lot from them. Opinions matter, dissention is inevitable but trust and respect is achievable with one simply action- the act of humility.
The act of listening. The act of taking turns. Of making sure we choose our words to express our meaning not to demean the words or ideas of others. We often are afraid to let our students truly take the reigns. But, when we do, once we have set up parameters and designed a positive community, we can. We can because they will feel safe to share and disagree- but in the end- they smile. In the end they go to the next class, not drudging this conversation behind them- but moving forward having learned something from it.
I was amazed to see how well my classes interacted and discussed with such trust and respect. I model this of course- but when it happens it is such a beautiful thing to witness. Hidden gems. Those quiet students who shine when everyone chooses respect and tolerance. When everyone looks for the good in one another. I absolutely love teaching, love being an educator, love being an observer to the open dialogue that trust imbibes in a classroom.
Spirit is everything. It can be hidden under the weight of contagion but it is slowly removed from the dark crevices when we believe in our students. I for one, believe in mine. Not just on paper but in action, in interaction, in organized chaos. In noisy engagement and quiet reflection. In the real world, talking over each other but then settling into the conversation moments.
I know that they have a lot going on and are carrying a lot of doubt and fear. They need a haven for expression. A safe place to just be themselves- not just feel they have a voice, but to use it. This week we got to use ours to really talk science and reasoning- and the gems, they glistened bright. Never to be buried again.
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