One Little Word – Zest, 2025

January 6, 2025January 6, 2025 ~ wordancerblog ~ 5 Comments

I keep thinking about the perfect word as my touchstone for 2025. In the past, I’ve chosen: remember, purpose, and settle. Those are important words and they kept me set on a definite path the last three years. This year, I searched for a word that would reflect who I am now at the beginning of 2025, at the precipice of my 69th year.

Christmas Tree Memories

December 25, 2024December 26, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 3 Comments

The one symbol of Christmas that I have always loved is the Christmas tree. I loved the anticipation of buying it and bringing it home, decorating it, and watching it light up the winter darkness. To tell the truth, I didn't really even care much for the presents. The tree was present enough for me.

A Lark and a Prayer: Music in the Classroom

December 2, 2024December 1, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 8 Comments

Last week, I was reminded of the importance of music. This reminder came in the form of a six-year-old girl named Lark.

Grateful Harvest: Baking in Kindergarten

November 24, 2024November 23, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 12 Comments

This week, I had the treat of baking with kindergarteners. We transformed their four small Halloween pumpkins into a sumptuous dessert: Bread Pudding in a Pumpkin Shell! To my surprise, there were requests for seconds, thirds, and even fourths!

Showing Up

November 17, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 6 Comments

I have shown up for kids for forty-six years. It is my greatest achievement – this showing up – this putting intentional time into something as important as children. I love watching children grow and develop. I like being the one who cheers them on through the struggles.

That’s Silly! Learning and Laughing

October 27, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 9 Comments

Last spring, I submitted a poem for possible publication in Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong’s new anthology, Clara’s Kooky Compendium of Thimble Thoughts and Wonder Fuzz. Janet and Sylvia have been wonderful supportive of my poetry and my creative process. I can’t thank them enough for encouraging me to get silly again.

Autumn Revelry: A Journey of Relaxation & Reflection

October 20, 2024October 20, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 6 Comments

In October, I’m a charged particle frantically going in one direction hoping not to overload my circuits and short out or go up in flames. So, I know I must take out a little time for myself to hideaway and enjoy autumn’s splendor.

Leaf Peepers

October 8, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 1 Comment

As soon as I saw the mountains, my shoulders dropped and my spirits soared. The beauty I saw was healing and restorative. I was reminded just how wondrous our little planet is, and that no matter how busy we are, our little blue and green Earth keeps on spinning. The rotating seasons and give us a splendid art show.

Refill Your Cup: Finding Balance in Teaching

September 30, 2024September 29, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 7 Comments

This week, my joyful moment came in the form of a little second-grade girl named Victoria. Victoria rarely smiles and usually speaks in a whisper. Her writing, however, is full of sophisticated humor. I know that there is a sparkly little girl inside her somewhere.

Word Dancer, I always love reading about your nurturing interactions with students. Thank you for sharing your beautiful interaction and…

Oh that lucky Josephine. This is how we count life's riches, one true connection after another. She will not forget…

A simply delightful and beautiful poem, I'm sure Josephine will treasure it the rest of her life!

Joanne, what a lovely description of your philosophy of education. So many strong qualities for that foundation. 48 years! Wow.…

Josephine must bring you great joy. Connecting one on one in this way, you have changed her heart, even if…

7 responses to “Refill Your Cup: Finding Balance in Teaching”

dkzody

October 1, 2024

I love your attitude about the right people being put together for a REASON. This year has not started well with one new second grade teacher.

In my retirement I am a volunteer storyteller in an inner city school, and this is my 11th year with first grade and 6th year with second grade. There are new teachers in both grades. I’m the veteran!

The new second grade teacher appears to not like me nor want me in the class, but her students, who know me well from last year, do want me. They are just struggling with how to behave. I’m at the point of bowing out and leaving the new teacher with her students and not bothering any of us. I hear a small quiet voice, though, saying, “you are the professional here, you have the experience with lots of people. You can handle this new teacher better than anyone.” Hmmmm.

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1. wordancerblog
  
  October 1, 2024
  
  Thanks for your note and your honesty. Go with your gut and do what you think would be best for the KIDS. That’s what I do. Sometimes I put myself in uncomfortable situations – but it always turns out to be a learning experience and I know the KIDS appreciate it (and the teacher will come around most probably – eventually). It’s hard to be new and to trust. Trust is at a premium these days.
  
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Stephanie

October 1, 2024

“The book club members felt good taking time to talk with each about the ups and downs of teaching. I’m glad I was able to carve out a little space in our day for this.”

What a gift. Thanks for sharing this title and your great optimism.

I was immediately drawn to your post by your title. 🦋

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Trish

October 1, 2024

This post, as it often does, comes along at just the right time. To begin with, I love your ending with a moment of joy. Let the sparkle continue. For inspiration, though, I am going to take a close look at Teach Happier This School Year. We are considering a book club/study for a statewide literacy meeting we conduct once a month. This one sounds like just what the doctor (of morale) ordered!

Let your experience be your guide; that is a perfect mantra.

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Denise Krebs

October 1, 2024

Joanne, what a sweet post. I’m so glad you started the book club. It sounds like a great idea. I can appreciate the idea of having your half-full / half-empty cup “refillable.” It makes us remember the importance of self-care, that our cups really are refillable. Of course they are. So happy for Victoria and her relationship with you that will grow and develop this year.

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Erika

October 1, 2024

How wonderful to have made time to center happiness with your colleagues! Think of the ripples this will create! This year I am taking a free course on teaching happiness. Bhutan made it a priority to focus on gross national happiness and I am learning so much through this course. Like you, with this book, this is not about toxic positivity, but about cultivating skills of noticing and making small shifts. Thank you for bringing us into your book club.

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Stacey Shubitz

October 2, 2024

When you say a 10-day schedule, do you mean that it cycles through ten days and then goes back again? My daughter had a 12-day cycle in sixth grade and I told her that she’d have to remember when to wear sneakers for PE since that was more than I could be expected to handle at my age! (Thankfully, she rose to the occasion so I didn’t have to!)

I’m actually writing a chapter on joy for the book I’m writing RIGHT NOW! Have you ever read Ingrid Fetell Lee’s book, JOYFUL?

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