Category: Education
Understanding Rites of Passage
Why doesn’t life come with an outcome summary? Decisions and life choices would be much easier! No regrets. No doubts and no looking back. Did we make the right move? Did we chose the right job?
Gentle Curiosity and the Art of Forgiveness
Exploring meditation over recent years has led me to a lot of new understanding: about dedication, about the anatomy of habit; about myself; and about forgiveness. I have recently listened to two meditations:
Commit to What You Believe In
The final day of an incredible year and I was given a small test to see if I was truly committed to standing for what I believe in. We have the opportunity every day to create these possibilities in our lives.
A Healthy Balance of Routine and Flexibility
You hear the same thing over and over: The older you get, the faster the years go by. As a kid, summer used to feel like an eternity. I would find myself yearning to go back to school just to see my friends […]
“Sex Talk” Resources to Guide Your Family
It’s OK to not have all the answers when it comes to talking about sex with children. But kids do need answers, and you don’t have to do it alone! There are many resources available for educators […]
The Blooming of Proficiency: Helping Students Prepare for Tests
In education our fiscal year ends in spring. This is when the blooming of knowledge and concepts are practiced and measured. Testing provides a picture of each student’s knowledge for teachers, parents […]
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Being a Role Model for Inner Peace
Everyone seems to struggle with the hand they were dealt at some point in life. Hopefully it is a quick phase that leads to self-acceptance, but for some people, it is not that easy. I am fortunate enough […]
Language Reflects Identity: How I Learned It The Wrong Way
I eagerly filled out an online form and expressed my earnest desire to join a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the education of indigenous children. Immediately after signing up […]
Freedom in Literature
As an educator, there’s almost nothing more freeing than the month of July. School is freshly out, the sun and surf are readily available, and you finally have time to tackle those projects you have been neglecting during the craze that is the end of the school year. This newfound free time also affords for […]
Learning the Language of Emotions
In my 39 years of teaching, I have learned to recognize typical student behavior traits; traits that can be easily managed with a positive reward system and sometimes, a little extra parent involvement, creating a classroom of good mental health.
Emphasizing Assets to Overcome Deficits
Encouraging my students to imagine the tremendous potential of using their assets while doing what they enjoy to make money, allowed their deficits to fade into the shadow of their successes. My job as a teacher is to motivate students to recognize the opportunities and positive characteristics that will allow them to successfully navigate the social systems of our country. Students must celebrate their differences, which requires an emphasis on their assets while helping them to believe that anything is possible.
