Back to School

School starts today in my town, and even though my kids are past school age, and my own classes don’t begin quite yet, I find my mind is affected by memories, and by the emotions (excitement, anxiety, relief...) of others in my neighborhood.

Sewing sashiko quilting for Japan Camp.

I feel an urge today to hold my mission to teach up to the light, to become clearer about my motives and my philosophy, and review the techniques I have learned to make teaching more successful.

Loading our pit kiln for Ancient Art Camp.

As a teacher, my goal is to help my students to become better informed, more thoughtful and more creative, and to look at life from a wider angle. 

Reading comic books during free time.

In order to be a successful and effective teacher, I need to work very hard at the art of teaching- at how I plan lessons, how I talk to students, how I listen, and how I solve problems. I must remember that everything I do and say matters! All kids get turned on when they are really learning, and get bored when they aren’t.







My "Ideal Teacher" mantra is "I am Prepared, Present, Friendly and Open":

• I am Prepared: I have everything ready, including my emotional state, and plan my lesson so that no one will feel rushed or bored.
• I am Present: I set aside distractions, listen well, and stay centered on my students and the teaching moment.
• I am Friendly & Open: I radiate acceptance and have impeccable integrity (keep my temper in check), so we can build mutual respect and a bond of caring, and so that my students are all free to be honest and independent.

Playing marbles during Colonial Camp.

Agenda this week:
1. Journal:
What do I most want to teach now?
What are my feelings about teaching? What motivates me?


What are my strengths, and potential strengths?
What are my limitations and fears?

Am I able to motivate students with all types of personalities and learning styles? Where could I improve?


2. Evaluate my program & plan for improvement:
I have made a check-list of my idea of an Excellent Teaching Program, and today I will go through it and note where I can improve my program this year.

Making bread.

This week I will write some specific goals I want to reach as a teacher, and make a list of the specific things I’d like to improve-- activities, program structure, schedule, safety, discipline, supplies, work spaces, and furniture.

I will make a realistic time line for changes, brainstorm some creative ways I can reach my goals, and design a method for quarterly assessment.

3. Study:
Each fall I like to find and read a new book on teaching, and collect new ideas for motivations, routines, and projects. This year I'm reading "The Courage to Teach Guide for Reflection and Renewal" by Parker J. Palmer, which focuses more on the inner life of the teacher- he says "The entanglements I experience in the classroom are often no more or less than the convolutions of my inner life."