The weekend in between teacher inservice week and the first week of students returning felt like one where I should have been fully in school mode, reflecting on the past week and planning for the new, especially when I was suddenly faced with a combined class because of a fellow teacher falling ill and being temporarily absent, and for the first week of school several primary school specialist teachers off in a camp with the upper school students, and the task of making a temporary timetable on my shoulders.
I think that ten years, or five years ago, maybe eve three years ago I would have been mightily upset after facing such an unexpected situation. I would have spent the weekend planning and replanning, and worrying mightily and perhaps even crying a bit.
I can't express how thankful I am for having regular mindfulness practice. I was a bit shaky when I first found out what was waiting for me, and then quickly bounced back. It is what it is. We'll do what we can. I had several people ready to help me, willing to take extra lessons to provide planning time for the homeroom teachers, pitching in ideas for the combined class activities, volunteering for outside duty. My brain calm, free from worry, had energy to engage in creative thinking, and the timetable took shape, and the ideas for the first week quickly filled a paper, creating choice beyond what I needed.
The weekend was for resting. I went to the countryside. I disconnected from devices. I enjoyed the rain and the sunshine, the chill of the air and the heat of the sauna, the quiet of the morning and the chatter of the family, the darkness of a stormy sea and the brightness of fall flowers.
The first two days of school have went well. Inspired by a read aloud "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" the students gave some advice for the start of the year:
Never give up!
If you don't know what to be, be kind.
You are good enough as you are.
We need to be kind to others because we wish them to be kind to us.
Be kind to everyone no matter what because then you will feel good.
We need to be brave and ask for help if needed.
This is excellent advice to start the year with. If you'd like to add your bit of advice, you are welcome to do so.
Such an insightful slice! You're right--there will always be unexpected bumps in the road, but it is how we choose to respond to them that matters. Your self awareness around how mindfulness practice has helped to to respond positively (and calmly) to the unexpected is such a helpful reminder for me. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteKudos for having a mindfulness routine that makes you strong and keeps anxiety at bay. My advice could never top your students. It's a mission statement that will preserve a safe classroom environment where students find success.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the words from the students as well as those gorgeous flower pictures! I think mindfulness has also helped me not to panic as much when it comes to unexpected situations like the one you just described! Thanks for the reminder to pause and rest.
ReplyDeleteThe unexpected is why teachers are flexible and able to go with the flow. As you point out, teachers are always willing to pitch in where needed. Great advice from your studends. Now if we could just get the world to follow it things would be so much better.
ReplyDeleteHi Terje! I am hoping mindfulness will pull me through again this year. Our school year starts next week. Those beautiful bright flowers help to gain calm. I love the Boy, the Mole, the Horse... My advice: When in doubt, eat cake and offer some to a friend or two. Thank you for this treasure!
ReplyDeleteHi Terje! Thanks for the reminder to practice mindfulness this year. I will need it. Our school starts next week. Beautiful flower definitely help. I love THE BOY, THE HORSE, AND THE MOLE... My advice is in line with Mole: When in doubt, eat cake and offer a slice to a friend or two!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to practice mindfulness, but it's a challenge. Glad the practice is working for you. What a fabulous book for beginning the school year! My advice: Stop and smell the flowers and when they're gone, frolic in the leaves, and then savor the snowfall and finally watch for the greening of the spring. There's joy to be found in every season.
ReplyDeleteTerje, it is so good that your mindfulness practice is in place and helps you to deal with unexpected happenings. Taking a trip to the countryside to unwind completely was a purposeful move that brought joy not only to you but to us. We have your gift of gorgeous flowers. Thanks for sharing practices that make sense when balancing life.
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