HEELLLOOO World! I’m so excited to start this blog. For a few years I’ve been wanting to start a blog, especially one for educators, and finally I have a clear vision and the time to blog my little heart away. So, you must be wondering who is this woman, and what is she blogging about?
Well, you’ll get to know me a little more with each blog post, but in a nutshell I’m an educator. I taught Social Studies in an all girls high school, taught undergraduates about diversity in Education and Introduction to Teaching, and currently teach, supervise, and mentor graduate students in the College of Education in a state university, while also evaluating and consulting on the side for local school districts and university led research projects. I’ve dedicated my life to K12 education and preparing future teachers into this important field.
Like many of you, I’ve seen shifts and changes in pedagogy, curriculum, standards, technology and assessments in the field, and I’m sure there will be more changes and challenges to what we teach and the way we teach it. Even the students we teach change. Each year we welcome new students into our classrooms, and each child has their own set of skills, unique abilities, and even their own struggles. But what doesn’t change is our love of learning and teaching. More importantly, what doesn’t change is our love for our students. As educators we have a unique opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life. How many of your friends and family members can say that? Yes, teaching is constantly changing and comes with its share of challenges, but it’s all worth it when you see a child read for the first time, solve a difficult problem, or timidly speak in front of the class. It’s these moments that we must cherish, and it’s through this blog that I hope to remind educators of these uplifting moments through mindfulness, reflection, personal stories and experiences, and yes even meditation.
Why is this blog called The Meditating Teacher? The past few years I developed a meditation practice (more on what it means to have a meditation practice in later posts), and I’ve been learning about meditation from some amazing teachers. Also, I’ve been practicing yoga (more about yoga in a later post) since the age of 18, and both of these practices have challenged my views on education and teaching. I would even say that yoga and meditation have made me a better and more compassionate teacher. Let me clarify, I am not a perfect teacher by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm definitely a teacher with more heart. You’re either thinking I’m full of myself or you’re wondering how I did that. Either way stick around my blog as I explore and share with you my continuing journey as “The Meditating Teacher.”
PEACE.