Teaching made easier

Close your eyes for a moment. Imagine that you are seeing one of the worst blow outs of your most challenging student. Really see the whole blow-up from beginning to end in your mind. How are you feeling? How are the kids sitting next to that child feeling? What does it sound like? Really visualize this scene in full-definition detail. Now take a moment and ponder something else. We are all connected.. That spark of what you might call energy, spirit or something else is in us, is really one larger consciousness. At our root, we all are that part of one spirit.  So, look at this child from that cosmic perspective. The spirit, you and the child, shares connects you. Now think about the blow out again. But this time, relive that experience knowing that your spirit is part of this child.  As that child, how do you want to be treated? What do you really need? Both what do you need in that minute and what do you need in the long run?  As that child you need com...

The year is about to start. You are full of anxiety about what this year will bring. You feel anxious about this child or that child that has a reputation. There are a few more days or weeks of summer. You are in this mental state where it can be difficult to enjoy those last days. Your mind is planning for next year. You might even find yourself feeling nauseous or noticing your heart racing faster at times if you have a serious case of anxiety. Maybe this it what it looks like this for you. Thought - How am I going to deal with _ this year. S/he was awful for last year's teacher. S/he is going to take all my time. Feeling - Worried, anxious Action - You push away the thought. You spend time writing out your plan. You talk with a friend about how you feel. You try to ignore the thought. You talk yourself out of your thought - "I can handle this. It won't be so bad." Reinforcement - Your brain feels like it is doing a great job because you listened to the ...