This morning I felt like I was back in school and I absolutely loved it. I was inspired to consider (again!) pursuing a PhD, despite the fact that it's not a very practical choice in our society. I am a bit concerned that we did not get to unpack our own bias around religion. I feel there are many things left unsaid and that it's important that we take the time to NOT be politically correct and do the difficult work of coming to terms with our varying perspectives. I realize this is difficult when we are not very familiar with each other and time is scarce. I feel that already we have made strong connections based on a common foundation of dedication as teachers.
I also concur with other participants who expressed the need to address spirituality in a less academic context. Bringing peace into our classrooms is itself an expression of spirituality and does not have to be based in institutionalized religion. As someone who was raised to be culturally Christian, however, I realize that my spirituality is colored through that lens. I would love to hear ideas about bringing students' faith into the classroom in a meaningful way (I teach many Buddhist students, for example, and while I don't want to ask them to be our in-house experts, I would love to bring their traditions into our shared space).
Finally, I suggest we take a few minutes at the end of each day to DEBRIEF the day. I think this could be very valuable, and hopefully there will be time for that at least on Friday before we part.
THANK YOU to all of you for teaching me so much over the past few days. I feel that my brain is expanding and I love that feeling.
I also concur with other participants who expressed the need to address spirituality in a less academic context. Bringing peace into our classrooms is itself an expression of spirituality and does not have to be based in institutionalized religion. As someone who was raised to be culturally Christian, however, I realize that my spirituality is colored through that lens. I would love to hear ideas about bringing students' faith into the classroom in a meaningful way (I teach many Buddhist students, for example, and while I don't want to ask them to be our in-house experts, I would love to bring their traditions into our shared space).
Finally, I suggest we take a few minutes at the end of each day to DEBRIEF the day. I think this could be very valuable, and hopefully there will be time for that at least on Friday before we part.
THANK YOU to all of you for teaching me so much over the past few days. I feel that my brain is expanding and I love that feeling.
I agree w/everything you said:)
ReplyDeleteYes, a short period to debrief would be helpful.
ReplyDeleteI concur. Debrief is essential if we want to be critical educators.
ReplyDeleteTalking about these issues is laden with pitfalls but not talking about them has deeper canyons. I'm thinking that avoiding the most intensely controversial topics in our adult worlds and in our classrooms certainly keeps a group "safer" in some ways and that's important. But in the long run it is the discussing and all the hard work that goes into understanding, that holds hope for a more peaceful world. Teachers need to help each other learn to facilitate these discussions so all have a voice and can be heard.
ReplyDeleteJulija, we all have that lens, but many aren't aware that it's there. Your thinking about spirituality is a similar path I went down in 1996 and when I took my first 10 day silent retreat in Vipassana Meditation (as taught by S. N. Goenka). It's important because it's nonsectarian, which is what I wanted. Just like there are many strands of Islam et al, there are many strands of Buddhism. The awareness of breath, which you learn in the first three days of a 10 day course, is something I use everyday in the classroom with the children. It's amazing! They come in like popcorn and learn how to be cool like a gentle breeze. Children's courses happen in all of the Vipassana Centers (www.dhamma.org) and I have a one day course prior to PSSA on a Saturday at my school. It's a "tool" that helps them in all situations as the breath is always there until we die.
ReplyDelete