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.

Awakening Wonders on Polka-dots of Joy: Mindfulness & Resilience of a 5th GraderOctober 17, 2026
Yes, yes, yes to "polka-dots of joy!
sallydonnelly11 on Polka-dots of Joy: Mindfulness & Resilience of a 5th GraderOctober 16, 2026
I am so glad I took time to return to Tuesday's postings as I didn't have lots of time on…
Fran McCrackin on Polka-dots of Joy: Mindfulness & Resilience of a 5th GraderOctober 14, 2026
Connection is joyful, right?! I will remember your and Ellie’s gray sky with glowing-circled, colored polka dots :)
Debbie Lynn on Polka-dots of Joy: Mindfulness & Resilience of a 5th GraderOctober 14, 2026
Your story is filled with pure joy, and I am definitely going to remember Ellie's polka dots. :)
arjeha on Polka-dots of Joy: Mindfulness & Resilience of a 5th GraderOctober 14, 2026
I love this. We all need to look for those polka dots.

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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