How do I explain my Xavier experience to others? I am having a hard time putting it in words. There aren't words that I am able to find to really explain it, and when I try, they seem to do it a disservice, the words aren't big enough, aren't filled with enough depth or emotion. Trying to describe it somehow makes it smaller, less of a moment than it really was. It feels like every time I try to answer the question, "so how was Xavier?" I give a little piece of it away, it keeps getting smaller.
Xavier is this really huge moment that has left a gigantic impression on me and trying to sum it up makes it seem so small. I don't want it to be small. I want it to stay ginormous. I don't want the memories to stop washing over me, filling me with peace and joy. I could speak your names but that wouldn't let the asker know how amazing you are. I could share highlights but it wouldn't capture the fullness and beauty of the moment. I feel as if the answer to their question can't be given in a short conversation. I can only reply by saying...
Watch my life, I hope you will find your answer.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Power of Presence
"We think 50,000 thoughts a day and 99% of them we thought yesterday."
-Anonoymous
As Montessori teachers, we must practice the great discipline of being present in the moment, not thinking through yesterday, or contemplating tomorrow. The gift of our presence, or mindfulness to the children we teach, is one of the most powerful things we can give them. Being present with them allows us to see who they are, understand where it is they are going, and grasp what it is they need. The students are always communicating with us. How often are we present in the moment to receive the message?
-Anonoymous
As Montessori teachers, we must practice the great discipline of being present in the moment, not thinking through yesterday, or contemplating tomorrow. The gift of our presence, or mindfulness to the children we teach, is one of the most powerful things we can give them. Being present with them allows us to see who they are, understand where it is they are going, and grasp what it is they need. The students are always communicating with us. How often are we present in the moment to receive the message?
Monday, July 12, 2010
I'm Going Back to the Start...
I was just guessin' at numbers and figures,
Pulling the puzzles apart.
Questions of science, science and progress
Do not speak as loud as my heart.
Nobody said it was easy,
Oh it's such a shame for us to part.
Nobody said it was easy,
No one ever said it would be so hard.
I'm going back the start.
-The Scientist by Coldplay
I officially began my re-calibration process today with 6 other people in a Montessori Master's Program at Xavier University. I will spend the next two weeks taking a deeper look at the Montessori method and soak in the reminders of why this is such an amazing way to educate the future. I'd like to post daily, or every couple of days if I can, as a log of my experience, not only for myself, but for others who may read and want to consider this experience for themselves.
We started things off focusing on the transformation of the teacher. Whether we want to admit it or not, teachers teach who they are. If we are not healthy, or whole, or able to spiritually center ourselves, we will pass on our "stuff" to our students. Do we teach from a place of selfishness, exhaustion, co-dependency, irritation, frustration, insecurity? We pass these things on to our students. We teach who we are.
Maria Montessori said, "The first essential is that the teacher should go through an inner, spiritual preparation, cultivate certain aptitudes in the moral order. This is the most difficult part of training, but if it does not happen, all the rest is to no avail."
Montessori is not just a pedagogy. It is a way of being.
Pulling the puzzles apart.
Questions of science, science and progress
Do not speak as loud as my heart.
Nobody said it was easy,
Oh it's such a shame for us to part.
Nobody said it was easy,
No one ever said it would be so hard.
I'm going back the start.
-The Scientist by Coldplay
I officially began my re-calibration process today with 6 other people in a Montessori Master's Program at Xavier University. I will spend the next two weeks taking a deeper look at the Montessori method and soak in the reminders of why this is such an amazing way to educate the future. I'd like to post daily, or every couple of days if I can, as a log of my experience, not only for myself, but for others who may read and want to consider this experience for themselves.
We started things off focusing on the transformation of the teacher. Whether we want to admit it or not, teachers teach who they are. If we are not healthy, or whole, or able to spiritually center ourselves, we will pass on our "stuff" to our students. Do we teach from a place of selfishness, exhaustion, co-dependency, irritation, frustration, insecurity? We pass these things on to our students. We teach who we are.
Maria Montessori said, "The first essential is that the teacher should go through an inner, spiritual preparation, cultivate certain aptitudes in the moral order. This is the most difficult part of training, but if it does not happen, all the rest is to no avail."
Montessori is not just a pedagogy. It is a way of being.
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