Life Lessons and the Golden Rule

A small sacred space, 4 x 4 inch canvas, $20

Today I am holding a small sacred space for you to think or write about this:

Every single time we step in front of a group of students we are teaching so much more than the material we are expected to teach.  You know that, right?  Whether you intend it or not, it happens.  How you present yourself.  How you interact with the group.  How you handle the unexpected.  All of those are teaching your students.

My question for you is are you teaching your students how to move through life with grace and hope or are you showing them what they don't want to become?

When I talk to preservice teachers they are often nervous about their student teaching placement and if it will be a good fit for them.  I always tell them it will be the exact situation that was meant for them, and they will walk away with one of two things--either they will have many tools and resources and experience for the kind of teacher they want to be, OR they will know exactly what kind of teacher they don't want to be.

Sometimes I cringe at the ways I've spoken to or about some of my students, their parents, and other people. Sometimes I wish I could have a do over with students.  I want to say to them that I like who I am as a teacher and a human being much more now than I did.  {But that is really all about me, and so I don't invite adults back to first grade!}  I think of times when I could have spoken up for students, but didn't.  And there are other times when I should have waited and been patient and let things unfold in another way, but I was impatient.

​I think of how often it is easy to jump to conclusions, but how upset I am when others jump to conclusions about me.

I hope the lesson my current students are learning is that they are unique and precious and cared for and loved.  I hope they are learning by experience to treat other people the way they want to be treated, and when it doesn't work out that way I hope they are learning to apply grace and patience and positivity and to reserve judgment.

What are the lessons your students are learning from you each day that have nothing to do with standards and curriculum and everything to do with life?