#75 Who us?

What a unique opportunity I have to work with such amazing kids!  Calling them kids seems strange, but young adults, adolescents, teenagers just don’t fit.  Maybe that is because I think of them as “my kids”.  They are such an important part of my world and they really are a part of my family.   I am always so amazed at how they step up and rise to the occasion, even when it requires them to go way, way out of their comfort zones. They do listen to me, they hear me and that makes me feel good. 

Marielle stepped up and motivated everyone to move from The Wall to the Lecture Hall. Then she stepped up again and asked everyone to move closer to the stage.  She didn’t hesitate so much the second time.  She has a very good teacher voice!  I was impressed. Everyone listened quite quickly!

Lisette, Thérèse, Aline, and Madeleine also stepped right up when I told them that everyone had to go onto the stage and read why people in our community feel like they don’t have a voice, and why the do.  The look of horror on their faces is hard to describe.  They were relieved when I started talking to explain a little more of my story about my finding a voice.  They were also sadly disappointed when I didn’t forget that they all had to come up to the stage.  They did awesome!  Just like I knew they would!

Not many people would believe that I was actually very shy in high school.  I always dreaded the teacher calling on me to respond to a question. I was always afraid of making a mistake, or sounding silly.  In college, I was so freaked out by Speech class that I waited until the summer before my senior year to take it.  Yes. I did know I wanted to be a teacher.  Yes.  I knew that being a teacher meant talking in front of people. None of that mattered; I was just shy.

Pierre mentioned tonight that he was thankful that he has overcome his shyness.  One day in class we talked about this.  How can it be easier to talk about philosophy and metaphysics and not be able to carry on more personal conversations? I guess it comes back to being vulnerable.  Yes.  That is it.  How proud I was to see him up on stage sharing that reality about himself.  It reminded me of myself and I know that others could relate as well.  That is the power of sharing from the heart.

I can so relate to my kids who struggled to get up and speak out in front of our community tonight.  Maybe that is why it was so important to me that they do it.  I know they can step out and speak up. Maybe I can help encourage that courage.  What a great word – encourage!    

Tonight a friend who has not seen me “in action” with my kids before asked one of them “Is she always like this?” He meant jumping up and down with excitement and enthusiasm…and talking fast!  Chantal confirmed it and my friend wasn’t so surprised.  Chantal continued to say that it is a nice change from her other classes.  I told my friend that I just can’t help it. He often reminds me to breathe, a necessary reminder that I do appreciate.  What is ironic is that there still are situations where I am hesitant and struggle to share with enthusiasm. Breaking out of shell is not an easy task.

So, to my “Who us….get up and talk?” crowd.  I am so, so proud of you for stepping up and using your voices to share with everyone.  It made a difference for us to hear you say out loud peoples’ ideas about having voices.  You made a difference.  Have courage!  You are awesome!

For ALL my kids who went out of their comfort zones tonight to stretch and grow….

This is why I teach.

#74 A one-of-a-kind shirt by Séraphine

Ma chère Séraphine, thank you for making my t-shirt and one for Alexis as well!  Having one made by you makes it so much more special.  It means so much to me that you wanted to make sure that I had a t-shirt too and took the time to create one for me!  I will always remember that!  Your enthusiasm and energy Is so amazing and makes me more excited; I know some people don’t think that is possible, but it is!  I always enjoy our talk and appreciate all you share. 

One thing that I will always remember you sharing with the class was the day when you said “Madame, why do we écrivez so much in here?”  I can still hear your voice saying that and it makes me smile. I guess that it had an impact because I did have you write less.  Bravo in using your voice in a way that made the whole class laugh and get out of writing a 5 sentence paragraph!

Merci Séraphine pour ton enthousiasme et énergie, en classe et en dehors.  Tu es toujours de bonne humeur et c’est amusant de te regarder quand tu parles avec Alain ! Tu me fais rire et sourire.

For a one-of-a-kind t-shirt made with love….

This is why I teach! 

#73 Elisabeth, the painting elf

Tonight at our community event, I put up a picture of our handprints on the wall and it was powerful, just like it is powerful when I look at them when I am out at the wall. They are our handprints, representing us as individuals, yet they also represent us as a community. It is difficult to find my handprints. I actually wouldn’t know where they were if it weren’t for a video that the kids took.  The thing is really that it doesn’t matter where mine are.  More importantly they are with everyone else’s.  I am just a part of a greater community.  We are all connected, side-by-side on this crazy journey.  How awesome it is to not be alone. I can be myself yet be a part of the community, not lost within it.

Ok, now for the funny story. The day we were “finishing” the Wall, it was time for hand prints.  This was so exciting, like more exciting that you might anticipate.  But, then again, that describes each and every part of this project!  We needed someone to paint hands.  Elisabeth volunteered and painted everyone’s hands with chalkboard paint.  Feeling the paint on my hands was interesting because it made me feel more connected to the project somehow.  Seeing how excited Elisabeth was to paint everyone’s hands was also fun.  The most fun part came when she started jumping into every painted hand photo that we were taking.  It was funny at the time, but even funnier when we went back and looked at the pictures.  Having pictures of this experience is so special. I am able to appreciate things that I didn’t notice at the time they were happening.

As I went through the pictures to pull some for our book, I started seeing the hand pictures and one after the other, there is Elisabeth.  The best thing is that the joy on her face is so awesome.  There is this special light that shines in her smile and it is just fun! I don’t know how she jumped into each of those photos and has the look down in each and every one.  Now, the experience was fun to begin with, but her energy just added something even more special and one more aspect we can laugh about and enjoy. Gallery of hand pictures...

Merci Elisabeth pour ton enthousiasme et travail comme notre Elfe de peinture.  Tu es si rigolo et ton énergie est fantastique !  Ton sourire est comme un rayon de soleil.

Having the opportunity to have my hands painted by an elf and put my handprints on a wall…

This is why I teach!  

#72 Listening to little voices

Sometimes we never know that just not saying “No.” to someone’s crazy idea is a gift. Stepping back and allowing someone to create something you may not understand takes trust.  When people come to you excited about a project they have in mind, give them the gift of freedom by not stopping them.  You don’t have to jump up and down with excitement or join the movement. Simply watch and see what happens.  Enthusiasm can create things beyond our imaginations.  You never know what miracles may come about and you can take credit for listening to the little voice that says “Just let her do it.”

Being given the freedom to pursue my dreams and visions…

That is why I teach.