Category: Teaching & Learning

What the World Needs Now is COMPASSION.

The world is sideways, or backwards, or upside down. It’s anything but righted and balanced. I guess we’re all dealing with a severe case of vertigo; which I understand as a miserable condition. It’s debilitating not knowing which way is up. But I’m encouraged after being in school for about a month and a half now. I can proudly say the school district I work in has been a solid example of compassion and grace. Compassion and grace for the struggling family; for the stressed teacher and for the scared student there has been compassion and grace. 

But how has there been such a positive response amid negative events?

We’ve had ears to hear.  Ears to hear—a calming cure for our American vertigo.

You can only have compassion and empathy for the stories you choose to hear. 

Of course the earthly view has always conflicted with God’s, but currently the conflict seems blatant. James 1:19-20 reads, “know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Do you see the evidence of the world’s backwardness in this verse?

Now is a time for ears to hear. Much of Proverbs is simple wisdom; 18:13 says, “if one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” Folly and shame have helped turn this world sideways. 

How do I know this works? In my school’s current hybrid model of schooling most of my classes are less than 10 students. I have no choice but to hear my students as individuals. In classes of 20+ a teacher loses not only physical space but more importantly relational space. Having this opportunity has been a huge blessing to everyone involved.

I treasure all of the “But God” moments. If I had to sum up the history of Earth’s people in two words I would choose “But God.” The people went away blazing their own path of destruction, But God did not give them what they deserved when they turned to Him in desperation. The people saw something shiny and recklessly followed it, But God showed them compassion and grace once again as they turned back to Him in desperation. Repeat, repeat, repeat. You get the idea. But God chooses to hear us even when we’re not easy to listen to. We all have certain people for whom we’ve lost our ears to hear them. We’ve grown exhausted and “stiff-necked”; only hearing opinions we can identify with. 

The road to compassion and grace is short, but far from easy. 

We’ve got a pretty mighty example to follow, and it goes like this:

(1)When people called for God’s ear in distress, pain, or brokeness, He did not worry if they’d turn on Him or burn Him in the future. (Compassion takes a wreckless love.)

(2)He listened. (Not to prove them wrong, but to hear their story.)

(3) He had compassion on them and responded in grace. 

I’ve failed at these three steps with dear family and friends, so how do I stand a chance of approaching others with compassion?

We might gain a little perspective in knowing that the Hebrew root for the word compassion is womb. A visible, vulnerable life needing care and nurturing. Approach others knowing there is a story of human fragility.   

Compassion should be our mission; meaning we’re pursuing others to understand their story. Too often we dismiss their true story, sending it away and replacing it with a version we can make more sense of. Ironically “mission” and “dismiss” use the same root. 

Mission: sent for a purpose.

Dismiss: send different ways; abandon.

Can we make it our mission to have ears to hear, for dismissive behavior fosters oppression.

As an educator, blogger, and a believer it’s probably a good time for me to share some ideas I have about this school year. I hope this doesn’t add to the chaotic noise that fills today, but may it greet you as a whisper of encouragement.

I was given an image this morning. A trapeze artist hanging in the air. Waiting to be caught by their partner. No net far below — nets are for rookies. And don’t forget the enormous audience watching. Most of the audience is rooting for these two, though there are a few screwy onlookers wondering what failure might look and sound like.  This image embodies the households sending their children to school, or sending them to their computer. Hanging in the air represents the helpless tension I’m feeling as a teacher. And it represents our society right now, doesn’t it?

Though did you notice a little detail about the trapeze spectacle?  The success of a trapeze artist is not self-reliant? They need a partner they can trust. Yet another commonality between being a teacher and a man of faith. Both in the classroom and in my walk with God, I’ve gotten mixed up in the “I’m better off on my own” mentality. We all desire to be self-reliant and avoid all outside forces. Sorry, that’s just not the way life works. Trying to live life in a bubble during Covid has proven one truth: By one’s self, a human is far from good.

Me, as the trapeze jumper

I’m sure there’s a more technical term for the trapeze artist that gets caught by their partner. But since I know no one in the trapeze circle, we’ll refer to this person as the “Jumper.” The Jumper requires faith, trust, and courage. The Jumper gives their partner the benefit of the doubt. The Jumper shuns skepticism and wears a confidence of hope.

I’m going to leap, reach out and hope to be grasped by my students’ families. I’m humbling admitting my incapacity and requesting a partnership. I should have made this decision long ago. For some of us, it takes a pandemic to realize our shortcomings. 

I can’t wait to experience the strong community that we will form!

Me, as the catcher

Again, without access to the circus circles, I’m making it up. The “Catcher” is the strong link who, you guessed it, catches the jumper. The Catcher is strong and aware. The Catcher sees and calculates the different angles and forces. The Catcher gives grace and remains present.

Students and families, this year I vow to never make judgements about your household. We’re facing so many obstacles; I’ll trust you’re doing your best. I will play my part as the Catcher. I will be present with grace and strength, ready to hold you up and give you support at every turn.  

I can’t wait to form an unbreakable bond through authenticity and vulnerability!

As for the audience

Yes, they’ll be watching. There will be some screwy onlookers playing the part of critic. But for us, the Trapeze Artists, we will not be ashamed of our performance this year! We will be strong, authentic, and vulnerable for each other. I mean to wear the Spandex suit of a trapeze artist, we have no choice but to put on these three traits!

This year, you’ll see me jump. This year, you’ll trust me to catch. This year we’ll put on a show for the audience!

The stay-at-home order, order to homeschool, has brought household dissension. It has parents looking to the summer with a painful grimace, anticipating a fight for routine and responsibility; fending off the zombie persona threatening to take control of their child. I know being your child’s teacher assistant is exhausting and summer doesn’t look like much of a break; as vacations and getaways are being cancelled. What we hoped would be brief is turning into a marathon.

Can I tell you a secret? I can’t wait for my son’s “remote learning” to stop. So we can finally put this online skills-based practice behind us and kick-off a summer of authentic learning! Last night I was laying in bed with my son and we were chatting about our curiosities and all of the knowledge and connections we’d gain this summer.

He said, “Ugh, how much ‘school’ do I have left? I just want to start this now!” I totally agree with his grief. I’m giddy for this opportunity I have to learn and grow beside my family. This stretch of remote schooling has exposed a problem with today’s curriculum. American public schools are mainly focused on developing skills and leave behind the ingredient that adds the fun in learning — exploration. The exploration is where the students gain knowledge and make connections. How many times do I have to read plotless two paragraph stories about Johnny and Patty to show you I can find the main idea? Too much of this and the joy of learning is snatched away. How many of us can’t wait to get to summer, so we can start the real learning? 

I won’t geek out about my interest in curriculum design but basically all of these ideas are summarized in the book The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America’s Broken Education System – and How to Fix it. This book goes a little overboard but it makes the valid argument: school’s are neglecting content knowledge in order to teach and practice skills. There’s been many studies that have shown background knowledge to be critical for a learner’s understanding. Sorry, I couldn’t help but delve in to this issue a little.

Lead a Summer of Learning

 Curiosity drives learning and one interest leads to the next. As you make connections across disciplines, a broad knowledge gained.

Here’s our plan:

1. Start with an interest. 

Wes recently read a graphic novel about a civil war battle. So we’re going to dig in and discover everything we can about the causes of the war and the developments of it. 

2. Explore questions.

Being a teacher I have so many resources and tools that will deepen our learning. I share many of them at the end!

3. Branch to other disciplines.

This is my favorite part! What’s something that interests Wes in the civil war? The weapons, of course. So we’re going to pivot to science and study forces. I thought we’d also use our bow and arrows to explore this concept too. He also has a model rocket we still need to build, which I’m guessing would be an engaging way to learn about force too. 

4. What new interest is sparked?

I can’t wait to see where this learning journey takes us. If we consider the big concept of cause and effect there are so many different paths we could travel. Being an English language arts teacher, I’m sure we’ll squeeze in some time to study plot. If curiosity and exploration lead the way, then joy will follow.

Trough of Resources

 We’ll start with an overarching text that will give us a base camp of familiarity with the topic. https://www.coreknowledge.org/curriculum/ Most of these textbooks have free pdf downloadable versions. I’ve already sent the social studies civil war book and the science forces book to Wes’s Kindle Fire.

If you want to make some current connections to our world newsela.com is a great place to start. Each article they have is offered in about 4 different reading levels. If you’re unsure where to start with your child, you can simply start at Newsela and see which articles they find interesting. https://www.readworks.org/ is another place to find information appropriate for the K-12 student. 

The online resource world can be overwhelming. Start with museums and organizations as those are reliable and during the days of quarantine many have expanded their virtual experience offerings. A social studies teacher friend suggested that I check out Ford’s Theater with my son. We spent a quick hour following the John Wilkes Booth manhunt and we even got to read out of his diary! 

Think about the activities and things you might have present in your house that could demonstrate and develop a deeper learning experience. Or if it’s not at your house, take a little family field trip. Maybe my family will make it to Gettysburg! I look forward to sharing our summer journey. Where will your family’s learning take you?

Excitement in the exploration

An overly tired child is a dangerous thing. Today was like most summer days for my 9 year old son. After being drenched in an unforgiving sun, his body working in or around water all day, we carried that exhausted sack of potatoes to bed. But a quirky thing happens when his head falls to the pillow. His mind awakens to huge philosophical questions, mature theological wonderings! (Is this normal?)

Tonight as my wife and I desperately waited for his eyes to close and his muscles to rest, his quivering lips stated, “I’m not so sure heaven is going to be such a great place.” Let me remind you, there is never a more fragile being than a child beyond exhaustion. And the boy continued on, “how will heaven be great if I’m there but some of my friends and classmates are not?” My wife looked at me with a cringe; I returned to her a shrug. Though we’ve faced this situation numerous times, we’ve yet to agree on a gameplan. 

I do find us asking him the same thing everytime. “Can we look into this and talk about it tomorrow?” Because what he’s asking for is not a trustworthy answer from his parents. He’s not asking for a quick reassurance. My son is asking for permission and direction in seeking out answers for himself. 

Isn’t this what we wish for our children and students. That they may discover truth and wisdom alongside us.

 

Seek and Find

Good news parents and teachers! There is no need to be an all-knowing fountain of knowledge. There is a need to do two things:

1. Place before this learner trusted resources. Resources that reveal truths relevant to the student’s curiosities.
2. Ask the child discerning questions. What does this text tell us about your question? How does this resource relate to your ideas? What new wonders has this new information sprung about?

 

Learning together is the powerful way we’re intended to do life. A student’s wonders should never run dry. If they do, we’ve failed them. 

Teach them to seek and trust they’ll find truth.

 

May you find peace in your process of seeking.

How Small Things Become Big Deals

“The Good Ole Days!” A fairly new saying; It’s been used for only the last 300 years. It came about around the same time period that technologies transformed lifestyle. The thing I like best about this phrase, is the sly smile it’s always accompanied with, like the older generation has a secret that the young will never get their hands on. We love to think about the past. I just sifted through a whole Twitter thread about memories we have that the younger generation wouldn’t understand. Paper routes, Ataris, TGIF, and calling Collect. Yes, my “Good Ole Days” aren’t the same as yours but the power of nostalgia allows us all to restore our past. When restoration takes place, it captures only the good. The restorer buffs out each blemish, fixes each flaw.   

Are you the Restorer or the Disease?

Here’s each moment of life summed up into a cute little analogy. We fight to Restore life, community, our world back to its state of pure Goodness. While Disease attacks, attempting to carry us to ruin. In every interaction, we play the role of either Restorer or Disease.

In every interaction we have the power to cause ruin or unity.

Okay, maybe that was a little more serious than it was cute. When we start labeling our interactions as cute and insignificant we encounter the problem. We become the problem, we’re doing the job of the Disease and tearing down Goodness. I play the part of “Disease” too often.

Why are we infatuated with nostalgia and restoration?

Because it offers hope. Notes of peace and goodness amidst a chorus of hurt. Restoration is an intentional process that defeats any failing. When I visualize the spectrum of Good vs. Evil, I see the Good end as restoration.

Restoration is victory. Victorious over evil. Restoration has endured and ultimately conquered every negative force. These forces can be summed up as Disease. Blemishes and flaws don’t just occur, they’re forged by Disease.

The ways of Disease

It’s espionage really. We get inside, claiming good intentions. Then once we’ve earned trust, we have our advantage. Now we have our own Voice and Perspective. Now we have power. Sounds a lot like my role as a teacher, parent, spouse, and friend. I have gathered power in each of those roles.

Be the Cure

Identify the behavior don’t label the being

Just as I don’t want my whole being to be seen as a Disease based on one misstep, I can’t call a child a Distraction, a Liar, or worse because of a misstep. Even a recurring misstep is not an invitation to cause ruin. To become a Restorer I must do better in this way.   

I’ve heard a number of times that the best classroom management technique is engagement. Meaning that when students are engaged in the learning there will be less negative behaviors. This isn’t only true in classrooms. Engage with others in their struggles and you’re doing the work of the Restorer. When I’m working for the Disease I take all my teacher-student problems to the teacher’s lounge and gossip of all the bad behaviors I saw in the classroom. If I’m acting humbly as a Restorer, I confront the issue with the individual graciously and work toward a long-term solution.

The Transformation  

A number of bronze statues across the world are famous for being touched for good luck. This was not the look the sculptor had originally envisioned. But we don’t tear down the whole piece. Instead the imperfections contribute to the beauty. When done right our lives are displayed like a well visited bronze bust. We must give ourselves the opportunity for beauty before tearing down the whole thing.

Because each individual, ourselves is a restoration project. Innately, we know the goodness and beauty for which we’ve been created. Daily we’re offered opportunities.

I see students daily in this struggle between disease and restoration. It’s a fluid spectrum, each side pulls with different strengths at different times.

Celebrate victoriously when an aspect of life is restored. Rejoice when we’re put back in line with the Creator’s intention. Be grateful every time we’re made aware of a misstep.

Usually disease attacks the victim. “She’s been stricken with illness.” “He’s having another bout with cancer.” Our cure and restoration is beyond our doing. Healing requires guidance. Healing requires community. Full restoration relies on a group fighting for the sufferer.

Because a restorer not only fixes but maybe more importantly protects and prevents from future damage. The last step of a restoration project is the seal. Guard that baby for good!

“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”   –2 Corinthians 13:11

At the beginning of every great story the hero is weak and ill equipped. At the end, he is strong and resourceful. What happens in between is the transforming process and the details that make us connect with stories.

Like the hero, I believe every greatly respected professional has taken advantage of transforming opportunities in their career. I don’t claim to have arrived as a greatly respected professional and I haven’t been coined a hero, but I did start in the same place as the hero. I once was a weak and ill equipped teacher and in some ways still am. Allow me to fly you through the transforming journey  of my first 11 years in the classroom.

Teacher Types

I’ve journeyed through each of these styles and I now try to exemplify the the teacher types that are best for today’s students.

There are many different styles in the classroom. One’s style is determined by what the teacher believes to be her students’ needs.

• One might determine that her students’ lives lack structure and self-control, resulting in a “You will follow the rules” Teacher.
• A teacher might feel the student needs to, above all, learn the content of the curriculum. Thus resulting in a “You need to know this” Teacher.
• One might feel their students need to like and enjoy their teacher in order to learn, developing the “You will think I’m cool” Teacher perspective.
• Another educator may feel that first a student must feel safe and cared for in order to learn, which creates the “You are loved” Teacher.

The Early Years

“The Early Years” makes me sound either accomplished or elderly, of which I’m neither. My first few years of teaching was about building a reputation. I was insecure in my ability so I obviously formed myself into the “You will think I’m cool” Teacher. I told myself that students liking me would bridge the gap left by the infancy of my teaching craft. The nature of teaching doesn’t allow a new teacher to catch his breath and reflect until at least the third year. This reflection morphed me into my next teaching style.

Gaining Control

The first portion of my career was laced in selfishness. I wanted to be liked and my reflection revealed something about the teacher I was. Wanting to be liked caused me to forfeit much control and authority in my classroom. In walked “You will follow the rules” Teacher! I developed a numbing class routine paired with stern discipline policies. Classroom management is a wonderful thing because it affords avenues for consistent learning! While I had control, I lacked understanding of curriculum and instruction. My class was well behaved but there wasn’t much deep learning going on. It’s Interesting how the trail of my deficiencies have shaped the teacher I am today.

Becoming a Teacher

Now that I’d arrived as a Cool Guy with control of a classroom, it was time to actually become a professional. Yes, I’d learned strategies and was a hunter and gatherer of resources and teaching tools.

As you move further into your career you either become isolated into one of these teachers or you become a combination of a couple. I’m hoping to be both the “You are loved” and “You need to know this” Teacher. The more I myself learn the content of English Language Arts and work to design the ideal curriculum, a deeper love for my subject area is formed. The same can be true for my students. The more I learn about their lives, interests, and families, the more I want my students to know their unquantifiable value!

Let Your Job Work for You

I get to spend my days participating in a pretty amazing job. So amazing that it actually has the ability to speak into and impact other facets of my life.

We spend so much of our life at work. I sure hope we allow it to transform us into better people. Too often the professional journey is on the attack with stress, envy, and bitterness. This dismantles not only the professional but the whole being.

If we spend enough time at a job we start calling it a career. If we spend enough time at a career we want to call it a legacy. If we have a job, career, or legacy it better be working for us individually.