Don't Just Hang In There

The phrase "Hang In There" has never felt like an empathetic statement to me.  It basically says, "well, things are terrible but just put your head down and barrel through it."  There are certainly times in our lives where that approach may be appropriate.  But, we work with students who need us at our best every day, especially when they are coming from a place where they don't feel their best.

This time of year can be challenging for learners and leaders.  How do we rise up to meet the challenge rather than hanging on tight until the bell rings at the end of the day?

Build Community - Actively find ways to connect students.  This may mean backing down from academic work to provide the time and space to build community between learners.  They need to know each other as individuals and we control the schedule.  What are some ways your students can learn about each other's interests and hobbies?  Help them build their social network and repertoire of ways to interact with each other.  Building a community takes time, sometimes months, and it requires purposeful moves by the teacher to move from tolerating each other to genuinely caring for each other.

Play, Laugh and Have Fun - Nothing builds community like laughing together and laughing releases tension and stress; it shakes up our brains and changes our faces.  Find cooperative games or host a minute to win-it brain break where everyone gets the benefit of laughing.  Is there anything your community should be celebrating this week?

Get Outside - I know it is still cold outside (and it is supposed to rain on Tuesday) but take advantage of our wide open spaces.  A little stomp around the perimeter of our property offers opportunities for a scavenger hunt, a view into some goods and services or even a clean up after a winter of wind.  Bundle up and read outside.  Give a math task that requires measuring the entire building.  Whatever gets us outside, helps us release the energy.

Be Mindful- Your class may need multiple mindful moments a day.  Remind them to breathe.  Help them pay attention to their body and the way it feels when they are anxious and excited versus being relaxed and ready to learn.  Adjust your lighting and voice level.  Introduce sounds that calm and provide quiet time in each day.

I found myself in the middle of last week feeling a little drained.  I was working my brain past its capacity for a few days and I could tell this was dulling my ability to be present and to think clearly.  I know I say this often but be sure you are taking care of yourself.  Do a check on your sleeping and eating.  Are you exercising and connecting with people you love?  Have you done anything you really enjoy in the last week...every day?  Be sure to reach out and remind others that they have a support system right next door.  You all do an amazing job of taking care of each other.  Remind a friend that they should take care of themselves as well.

We thrive together.

All the best,
Faith