I think that we all have opportunities to “be there” for the children in our lives – whether that’s our own, our students, our friends, etc…

I don’t mean that kids will just open up about all the stuff going on in their lives just because we decide to ask.

I DO mean that we can stop our own internal chatter, be present, and LISTEN. Ask questions. Simply care about them without judgement. Respect them, ask for their opinion, listen to their answers. Validate. See beyond their circumstances or their pain – and mirror what you see, particularly anything that can help them recognize their own gifts (because we all have gifts!!).

I believe that one person can make a difference in another’s life – just by connecting…

@MrsCunningham – that’s my long way of saying “You think you couldn’t help them – but I think you did because you cared, you thought about them, it mattered to you! I think you touched lives without even knowing it!”

In fact, I think all teachers have this kind of impact – http://www.thinkingschools.ca/2008/06/06/appreciation/

Thank you for thinking & for caring!

I’m feeling better now, and apologetic about starting the post off so whiny. Thanks for seeing beyond this and really getting to the heart of what I was trying to say.

I both value and appreciate your contributions!

Sometimes we do the right thing by instinct, other times not knowing their stories causes us to make errors in our reactions or assessments. Having compassion throughout can turn these errors into triumphs – working through the pain to awareness is key.

Thanks for the reminder as the year begins.

Welcome to the living! Isn’t it wonderful that you have the opportunity to get a taste of how the world works? As a teacher, there is no finer sensitiser to the needs of the learner. I find this is one of the most fundamental issues of the ‘classroom’.

I have a wonderful family. My children are all loveable. Every time I think about their lot in life, I thank chance that they are safe in New Zealand, healthy, ‘normal’ in mind and all have a home to return to each day that gives them comfort, food, care, affection and support for all their prittle-prattling complaints – there aren’t many.

I too am confronted with tragedy, dejection, poverty, violence and death when I tend to my students. I too have made mistakes when giving advice or instruction.

I am not religious, but I understand that we are nevertheless mortal and can only do what we can, being what we are. How many times have we light-heartedly attempted and failed in a board-game or other pastime. What makes it (LIFE) so different when we make important decisions?

Often the same processes are involved when we are asked to make important life-determining decisions. Are our minds more capable of making the right decision under life-stress than in a light-hearted situation? I wonder.

I, in my dotage, often reflect on the momentous decisions that I’ve made that shaped my life. Some of them have been disastrous, some of them have been enriching, some of them have been stupid and some have been insight.

But you can only do what you can, being what you are.

My Grandmother had a rhyme she used to recite to me. I loved my Grandmother. I have this same rhyme pinned to the wall in our home, for it says it all:

“Do what you can, being what you are, shine like a glow-worm if you can’t be a star.”

I hope your sinus infection is whacked by the antibots!

Ka kite
from Middle-earth

you make an excellent point about “hidden pain” –it’s a topic that often gets left out of our discussions, especially among ed tech circles.

i think we get so caught up in the wonders of education 2.0, that we sometimes forget that it’s not about technology (or math, or history, etc), it’s about people.

thanks again for the reminder. now stop blogging and twittering and get some sleep!

cheers!