Just as I Intended

As I learned in my mindfulness class yesterday, I approached the day with intention. I am open to new solutions and opportunities, I told myself as I walked the dog this morning.

The day kind of went to hell from there-- the dog wouldn't poop, we were late for school, the students were crazy after three days away. By the end of my last class, my intention was totally gone from my mind, erased by the five ring circus I had just survived. Not only that, but the worst kid was worse than ever, and I asked him to stay and talk with his team of teachers.

"This better be quick," he said, "I don't want to be late."

Fortunately, the conversation improved from there, until at last he told us that his teachers last year used to give him 2 minutes at the beginning of class to walk around with a friend and "get out the sillies."

I was skeptical. "What exactly did you do to get out the sillies?" I asked.

"We just waked and talked," he answered.

I found that I was willing to give it a try, so we put some rules in place, along with some clear expectations for his behavior once those sillies are gone, and he's going to try it tomorrow. In addition? I felt much better.

I'd say those were pretty good results for my first day!

Mindful

I understand the objections to Columbus Day, but the second Monday in October has always been the perfect time for a three-day weekend and the break from school it offers. The beginning of the year is hectic and hard, full of requirement and angst. By the time we reach the fifth week, an extra day off is good for everyone, and traditionally we come back refreshed and ready for the second half of the quarter.

Not this year. Students had the day, but teachers were required to participate in professional learning. Oh, the powers that be did it right-- they offered lots of options and a mix of online and face to face opportunities. We chose a session on mindfulness for educators, both because it sounded good, and it was at the elementary school at the top of the hill. Walking to work and not having to there until 8:30 almost seemed like a holiday in itself.

The session was good-- focused on self-care and reconnecting with the passion that brought us all to teaching-- but it was conducted by two former teachers, people who had left the classroom because their journey took them elsewhere. I certainly appreciated the time to breathe, meditate on gratitude, and mindfully savor a single raisin, but I didn't leave recharged.

Maybe Veteran's Day?

Trans-species Grievances

Tracey says:

Sometimes Lucy gets so obsessive about sniffing the ground that I have to physically poke her to get her to snap out of it. One good finger jab to the shoulder is often not even enough to return her to the present reality and get her to pay attention to me. Dogs!

Lucy says:

Sometimes Tracey gets so obsessive about looking at the computer that I have to physically poke her to snap her out of it. One good nose punch to her leg is often not even enough to return her to present reality and get her to pay attention to me. People!

A Blessing or a Curse?

It seemed like such a good idea.

My pepper guy forgot to put the half-bushel I ordered on the truck to bring with the last CSA delivery of the season. How can I make it right? he asked. He vends at a market about 30 minutes away, and so we agreed to pick up our peppers there. In consolation? We would get a free box.

That's right. I have a whole bushel of peachy peppers.

Stay tuned!

Positive Feedback

It was the puppy that made us stop.

On the way out of school yesterday afternoon I passed a young woman wrangling an adorable white and black puppy spinning in circles at the end of the leash. She made exasperated eye contact as the puppy pulled her toward us.

As I leaned over to pat the unruly pup, the owner gasped.

I looked up in alarm.

"How are you?" she asked.

It was then I looked more closely at her. "Shireen, right?" I said.

"Oh my God! I can't believe you remember me! You have so many students. " she answered, tears literally shining in her eyes, and stepping forward to give me a hug.

After 14 years, I was glad I recognized her, but I also remembered her well. She was a good kid, serious and hard-working. We spent a few minutes catching up. Besides a new puppy, she is applying to law school and waiting on her clearance for a Justice Department job, and she is happy.

I congratulated her and continued on my way, pleased that I had played a small part in her success.

Vicious Cycle

We have a colleague who complains all the time. Nothing suits her; nothing anyone else asks or does is valuable or useful. In the space of 45 minutes yesterday she explained why 2 suggestions and one routine would not be of any help to her or her team. She informed us that what we were working on was not a good use of her time and also outlined all her grievances against a co-teaching situation with a teacher who wasn't present.

And when she left what did we do?

We complained about her.

Lettuce Consider that Question

"Why do always smell like salad?" a student asked me today.

"Uh--." I replied, "I'm not sure. What kind of salad do I smell like?"

He shrugged. "Just salad. All the time."

"Is it a good smell or a bad smell?" I asked.

"it's ok," he answered. "if you like salad."