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Day: January 23, 2021

Zen Toolbox Redux

January 23, 2021 ~ wordancerblog ~ 6 Comments

According to some recent research, 66% of teachers want to leave education and 41.3% of new teachers leave teaching within the first five years on the job.  Given those numbers, I feel quite successful. I must have a secret, some ancient wisdom I can bestow on my fellow teachers. 

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  1. Trish's avatar
    Trish on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 29, 2026

    I loved reading this observation: "I was just setting the stage for children to create.  They did not need help;…

  2. wordancerblog's avatar
    wordancerblog on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 28, 2026

    Come to New Jersey anytime, Kim. You have an open invitation!

  3. kimhaynesjohnson's avatar
    kimhaynesjohnson on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 28, 2026

    What's so fascinating is that children are accepting and agreeable when it comes to working together (mostly)- - far more…

  4. Anita Ferreri's avatar
    Anita Ferreri on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 27, 2026

    I think you should give yourself a round of applause for inspiring their creativity!

  5. wordancerblog's avatar
    wordancerblog on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 27, 2026

    Yes, this is the best part of my job. I'm a learning specialist, but I made room (literally) for crafting,…

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6 responses to “Zen Toolbox Redux”

  1. majfoil Avatar
    majfoil
    January 23, 2021

    Gorgeous photographs, Jojo, and wonderful thinking and sharing. Thank you. One of my favorites is Treat myself to flowers. Do not make excuses. 😁

    Did you feel better after your photos and poems? I hope so.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Tina Lanciotti Avatar
    Tina Lanciotti
    January 23, 2021

    Beautifully powerful and uplifting reminders and suggestions. I will share this blog with our Mental Health committee for sure, but especially I will take them to heart. They speak to me.
    This is my abridged version: move your body-don’t forget to look up and celebrate nature-play
    If we don’t look around a bit we can miss…the canopy:
    “a colossal verdant umbrella
    letting the rays of the sun
    only in certain sacred spots”😍

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Fran Haley Avatar
    Fran Haley
    January 23, 2021

    Such a powerful story of the student, with the unexpected drawing expressing her desire to be home, and safe. Beautifully told and perfectly connected to your own experiences, something I can absolutely relate to at present. It hasn’t felt like anything’s been “safe” for a long while now and the juggling of those plates can approach something akin to terror, if not utter exhaustion. The Zen Toolbox is a fabulous idea – so much nurture in it. I recently read “be gentle with yourself” in a book on becoming a healing presence…well, it must begin with self. Thank you for this gift of a post.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Fran Haley Avatar
    Fran Haley
    January 23, 2021

    PS – gorgeous poetry & photos – those words “salvation” and “repose” so reach out to me.

    LikeLike

    Reply
  5. Julie Avatar
    Julie
    January 24, 2021

    I admire the way you are able to recognize your stress, understand your needs, and make a plan so full of joy and light. I will probably swipe a couple of these for my own stress list. I hope you have a wonderful week and are able to find more of those quiet places.

    LikeLike

    Reply
  6. Summer Zen | Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education
    June 26, 2021

    […] blog posts, I wrote about celebrating a zen, self-care mindset: How Does Your Zen Garden Grow? and Zen Toolbox Redux. My busy life, like the lives of all modern women, scream out to me from time to time to pause, to […]

    LikeLike

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