Teaching in the Now

Can spirituality be part of a classroom?  The following article suggests ways in which teachers can practise spirituality and be models of peace for their students .  This does not mean teaching religion.   What it does mean is living a life well.  For too long, schools have fearfully ignored the spiritual part of the three-part being of the student.  As churches die, schools could be the next frontier of spiritual learning in a new and highly inclusive way.

I have been an educator for most of my life.  I have learned that part of teaching well, is Being in the present moment with your students.  This means not thinking about the past and not worrying about the future while we are interacting with others.  When we can do this, we send out positive energy that will draw our students to us.

For those of you who are teachers, you may be saying. “easier said than done”.  I agree.   However the rewards of this style of teaching can be incredible. One way to get into the “zone of the now” is to pay attention to what is happening around you.  How many of you start your day going to work with your minds filled with the tasks to be accomplished rather than considering the beauty around you? Recently, I took a job change where I was on the road for an hour and a half every day.  Even though It meant getting up much earlier,   I spend the time practising being present, and witnessed some of the most beautiful sunrises that I have ever seen in my life.  I listen (and sing!) to my favourite music and often round out my trip with an inspirational audio tape. I come to work refreshed and inspired!

When we arrive to school, we are usually challenged with some kind of person or event that can take us down the road of negativity very quickly.   Recently, I listened to some awesome tapes by a leading spiritual teacher named Sonia Choquette. Her book, Trust your Vibes at Work , gives some great advice on how to deal with difficult people.  Also, my article Spirituality in the Workplace could help out as well.  The bottom line is, don’t let your negative interactions with others interfere with your relationship with your kids.  They don’t deserve this.

The curriculum that we are expected to teach can draw us away from the present moment.   There is a high expectation for teachers to cover certain amounts of knowledge each year. Standardized testing really escalates the anxiety.  I am not here to say that curriculum and testing are not important.  However, kids are more important than any test. A balanced approach is always the best way in all of life, and teaching is no exception.  Instead of teaching kids WHAT to think, educators should focus more on teaching kids HOW to think.

Here are some ways to incorporate spiritual practises into your teaching that will increase the happiness of yourself and your students.  I call this the NOW formula for successful teaching. 

1. Start with stillness - before you begin your day, either in bed as you get up, as you pray in the morning or as you drive or walk to work, appreciate the stillness and quietness around you. Breathe consciously and clear your mind of all negative debris. This will be a challenge for those of you who have never tried this, but over time, it will get easier, if you continue to practise.  For more ideas on meditation see Karen’s article on Spirituality.

2. Be grateful - say thank you for the job that you have and the kids that you teach. It is no accident that you are a teacher.  Your students have as much to teach you as you have to teach them.  As you continue this sense of gratitude daily, over time there will be a lightness and a joyfulness to your work that you have never felt before.  For more information on gratitude see the article Thank God

3. Stay in the present - when you are talking to your students or your co-workers, just stay in the present. Give everyone you talk to eye contact and concentrate on what they are saying.

4. Never assume - we work in such a busy environment and we don’t take the time to ask questions. For instance, when a child comes to class late, do we take the time to talk with them and find out what is going on or do we just assume that they are being lazy and don’t deserve our time?

5. Have fun - our students will want to be around us more when we have fun with them. Be child-like.

Our children are our greatest resource. They deserve our respect. When we slow down our lives and take the time to look into their eyes and call them by their name, we are starting down a path of rediscovery. Many children come from very challenging environments. Sometimes, we are the only consistent adult in their lives. Teachers have an awesome place in the thread of society. If you are a teacher, know that you ARE making a difference and for the sake of yourself and your students, practise the NOW formula and see what happens!!

Heather