Heart4kidsadvocacyforum's Blog

You must be joy filled.

I know that with all that is transpiring in the world and in our individual countries, we are at a point that we realize that being involved and supportive of our teachers and the educational system that they are navigating and learning in is critical.  We have to come to the understanding that the people that are teaching, guiding and nurturing our children in a brick and mortar institution, are not only human in their design, but are also trying to navigate their own personal life and the life challenges they encounter on a daily basis, but teachers and administrators are also trying the navigate the expectations of an archaic system that is not child centered.  Life wears on all of us and teachers are no different.  It is interesting to recognize and acknowledge that just like a child’s relationship with parents, children know when a teacher is not happy and is struggling to balance their emotions so that it does not make a child feel unsafe or uncared for. 

There is a unique relationship between a child and their teacher. It is important for the initial connection be established with love, respect, compassion, devotion and commitment.  Children are realistic, more so than what we give them credit for.  They know that we are not going to be happy 24/7 and they are in their own way intuitive and attentive way going to be responsive to where we are emotionally and physically.  They love it when teachers can share their joy and excitement about what is transpiring in the learning environment and curriculum.  The joy is contagious and makes them feel that we as teachers are in tune with their wants and needs and are invested in the second most important place and part of their day. I always tell my student teachers that it is important to take care of their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. It is important for teachers to take “Care for Self-Days”, when they know that they are not able to be balanced and healthy with the children that are in their care.  Parents have to practice ethe same modality in their parenting.  None of us can be on 24/7 so we have to construct times and ways to give ourselves a “Time In”!  A time when we remove ourselves from our routine and “go within” and re-capture our peace and composure.  I use the “Time In” not the “Time Out” method with children, because I feel that when they are out of balance, they are asking for a time to be connected not disconnected with someone that “Sees Them”!  

It is so important and healthy for us to seek the people, things, and experiences that support and sustains the “Joy” that lies within our soul’s expression.  Our “Joy” is created by us and is housed in our “Soul”!  We are responsible for protecting our “Joy” from anyone, anything, or circumstance in life that tries to “Rain on our parade or cast shadows on our sunlight”!  We all have times when we will feel pain and be stressed, but the key to being “Joy Filled”, is to only allow those emotions to pass through us and to not allow those feelings to take up residence in our “Soul’s expression.  WE all deserve “Joy” and to be able to be chosen to serve children, or to be their parent, we must let our “Joy” bring light and love into their lives.