Now
more than ever, teachers need ways to restore joy to their work, their
students, and their lives. You may be
feeling that an extra dose of joy is what you need as well! Because I chose joyful as my word for
2020, I’ve been giving this idea a lot of thought the last couple of
months. Read on for a few ideas to
implement and share.
Reflection. Slowing down, making time to reflect
can help to restore joy. In the
classroom (whether virtual or face-to-face), this means building in time to
recapture an experience, mull it over, and evaluate in order to learn. Where is the pause in your day? How can you create space
for reflection in your work with teachers?
How are teachers creating opportunities for their students to
reflect? Rather than letting the noise
of technology fill all of the space during physical isolation, let’s include
time to pause and ponder as part of our new routines. When we are together again in the classroom,
we will find that slowing down to reflect can also benefit classroom culture. Remember, though, that joy is usually found
in balance rather than extremes.
Reflection goes awry when it becomes self-criticism. Recycling past mistakes makes one miserable! Instead of constantly rewinding and replaying
past mistakes, balance reflection with mindfulness.
Presence. Replace, “I should have’s” and “Why
didn’t I’s” with active engagement in the moment. Being present means being tuned in. Right
now, that might mean pausing to feel the carpet under your feet or watching the
trees sway outside your window. In your
coaching, it might be a calming pause, or even melt-in-your-mouth chocolates in
a jar. In the teaching moment, it might be
really listening
to a student’s answer, or playing soft music during writing time. Including something to focus the senses can
bring a sense of presence, and that mindfulness helps to renew joy.
Work. While work can sometimes overwhelm, a
balanced work renews joy. Creative
effort is thrilling and gives a sense of accomplishment! Being engaged in meaningful work creates a
satisfaction that we can’t find in any other way. Joy happens when you are so caught up in what
you’re doing that you forget where you end and something else begins. When joy
is lacking in work, it might be because the work feels mundane. To add delight,
mix up the routine, spark imagination, try an original idea. At home that might mean cooking something new
or getting your hands dirty in the garden. When coaching, co-planning a big
project or unit could bring satisfaction.
Finding successes
to celebrate also enhances the joy of work (in personal life, when coaching,
and in the classroom).
Relationships. Personal connections are a source of
joy! People with different perspectives
can be important assets. Joy is when you really see, and are seen, by another. In
your life and work, plan for relationship-building activities. Teachers often include such activities at the
beginning of the school year, but relationship-building activities are
important all year long. To boost joy,
ask teachers about their favorite relationship-building activities. Encourage them to share their favorites with
one another. Sharing not only provides
everyone with more ideas, it offers an opportunity to connect in a meaningful
way. In your own relationships, your
coaching work, and the classroom, giving personal attention shows that you care
about others’ individual well-being. Strong
social connections increase happiness.
During
this time when we are increasing self-isolation for our own well-being and that
of our communities, we may need to make an extra effort to create personal
connections. Dr. Ed Bengston, a
professor of educational administration, suggests that we replace the phrase "social
distancing" with "physical distancing" and be sure to practice "social
connecting." I like his idea!
Even
though our world is full of uncertainty, we can find joy in the beautiful and
the surprising. We can find joy through
reflecting, connecting, and creating. I
hope today’s post helps you consider what this might look like now for you and
the teachers and students you work with. Let's aim for building an enduring culture of joy!
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If you’re interested in
my book, Collaborative Lesson Study, this month you can get it for 15%
off plus free shipping using the promo code: MARCH2020 at https://www.tcpress.com/collaborative-lesson-study-9780807763070
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This
week, you might want to take a look at:
What’s
working (and not) for distance learning:
Encourage
student journals as primary sources for future historians:
Technology
tips for teachers:
Cautions
about virtual reality for young learners:
Self-care
for coaches:
That’s
it for this week. Happy Coaching!
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