What does it take and whom must you be to serve children as their teacher?
You must be patient.
They say, whoever they are, that patience is a virtue. I know as a teacher and a mother, that being patient is a necessary element that we must develop in our character. I confess that it is an everyday skill set that we as in our human nature, struggle to be consistent with on a daily basis and from one situation to the next. I believe that in terms of the character assets that we need to approach the world with, patience is one of those acquired assets that can make life more doable and enjoyable. Patience sets the tone of how the world will respond to us. It can be quite a challenge to be patient with adults because our expectations for their behavior and attitude is that because they have life experiences under their belt and an archive of lessons from which they should have learned and evolved, that adults would operate from a space of wisdom and integrity.
However, when it comes to children we have a responsibility as the adults in their life, to be mature and far more understanding and patient as we lead them, guide them, and nurture them through their childhood experiences. They are truthfully and righteously are supposed to be able to depend on us to be compassionately patient. What does this energetic response of patience need to sustain itself? Well first, it calls for us to be patient and understanding of who we are as a human being coming from our own life experiences and come to a realization that we are not perfect, we are called to, as is everyone , knowingly or not, called to practice the art of perfecting ourselves in our own unique divine identity, and that this art of perfecting the evolution of our soul expression is what life is all about.
We must see each other, especially children, in that light so that they are free of judgment and other people’s expectations. Can you imagine what the world would be like, and even better, what a child’s childhood would be like if they were surround by, and showered with patience, which in the core of patience love is the foundational element? Can you imagine how much children would learn in their school environments and in their home environments if they knew their caregivers nurtured them with patience? How do you feel when someone has treated you with “compassionate patience”? I know from my life experiences that not only does it instill more patience for me to share with others, but it inspires me to take flight and soar. It makes me feel like I am valued and that I have unlimited potential. I believe that this is what we want for our children. Think about it?
Ang mga bata ang pinakadakilang regalo sa sangkatauhan.
Ano ang kailangan at sino ang dapat ninyong maging para paglingkuran ang mga bata bilang kanilang guro?
Dapat kang maging intelektwal na handa at nakatuon sa pagiging isang “lifelong learner”, dahil nauunawaan mo na “laging may higit pang katotohanan at kaalaman” upang matuto. Dapat ninyong maunawaan na habang patuloy ninyong natututuhan at pinahuhusay ang inyong buhay, na hindi lamang kayo ang nakikinabang dito, kundi ang buhay ng mga batang pinaglilingkuran ninyo.
Bilang isang tagapagturo responsibilidad natin na patuloy na matuto at mapahusay ang ating buhay upang tayo ay umunlad sa lahat ng aspeto ng ating buhay. Kung sino tayo at kung ano ang alam at mayroon tayong ibabahagi sa mga bata ay isang kritikal na bahagi ng pagtuturo at pagtuturo sa mga bata. Kung hindi pa tayo nakikibahagi sa mga aktibidad na nagbibigay ng mga mapagkukunan at nilalaman para sa ating kurikulum para sa mga bata, kung gayon nililimitahan at pinagkakaitan natin ang mga bata na ma access ang kayamanan ng kaalaman ng mundo para sa kanila. Kaya maraming mga guro at administrator ang nakakaranas ng “burn out”, dahil sila ay nagbitiw sa kanilang sarili sa paniniwala na hindi nila kailangang bumalik sa paaralan, maglakbay, sumali sa mga grupo ng interes, magbasa para sa kasiyahan at hamunin ang kanilang sarili na gumawa ng mga bagay na “out of the box” para sa kanila.
Kami bilang mga tagapagturo at mga magulang ay mga huwaran ng mga bata. Kung nakikita nila tayong nag eenjoy sa pagbabasa at paggalugad sa mundo bilang mga adventurers, gusto rin nilang galugarin at tuklasin ang mga kayamanan ng mundo. Sa kanilang likas na katangian, ang mga bata ay mausisa at walang takot. Gusto nilang malaman ang “bakit” ng mga bagay-bagay! Gusto nilang malaman kung paano gumagana ang mga bagay-bagay! Kailangan nila ng mga karanasan sa hands on at oras upang makipagsapalaran sa isang silid aralan sa kapaligiran o sa kanilang panlabas na silid aralan na nagbibigay ng isang kayamanan ng nilalaman na edad at cognitively angkop para sa kanilang edad at o maturity. Lumilikha kami ng nilalaman at mga kapaligiran na sumusuporta sa paglago ng mga bata sa lahat ng 4 na domain ng kanilang pagiging.
Alam ko sa isang personal na tala na ipinangako ko ang aking sarili sa pagiging isang “lifelong learner”. Nangako ako na lagi kong gagawin ang mga bagay at makikipagsapalaran sa mga bagay na magpapalawak ng aking hininga ng kaalaman tungkol sa buhay at sa mundo upang patuloy akong maging sanggunian sa aking pagsusulat at adbokasiya. Ito ay isang pangunahing bahagi ng ating disenyo ng tao upang pakainin ang ating utak at mapahusay ang mga pagpapahayag ng ating kaluluwa. Ang mga bata ay karapat dapat sa pinakamahusay na kung sino tayo at kung sino ang maaari nating maging upang gabayan natin sila at pangalagaan sila sa kanilang “Buhay ng Banal na Paglalakbay”.
Bilang mga magulang responsibilidad nating magkaroon ng relasyon sa mga guro ng ating mga anak at suportahan sila at hikayatin silang patuloy na matuto at magbigay ng kaukulang at kapana-panabik na kurikulum para sa ating mga anak. Maaari tayong magdala ng mga mapagkukunan para sa kanila upang galugarin. Maaari kaming makatulong upang magbigay ng mga field trip, at palagi akong may mga magulang na bumubuo ng isang maliit na in house na grupo ng suporta sa magulang upang palagi kaming may mga mapagkukunan na lampas sa kung ano ang inaalok ng paaralan sa mga bata. Kailangang malaman ng mga guro na tayo bilang mga magulang ay nakikipagtulungan sa kanila sa paggabay, pag aalaga, at pagtuturo sa ating mga anak. Kailangang maging pakikipagtulungan ito sa pagitan ng home-school‐at komunidad. Sino ang mas mahusay kaysa sa mga magulang na humingi ng suporta para sa aming mga paaralan kaysa sa mga magulang na nagtatrabaho at o naninirahan sa komunidad ng paaralan. Ang pamumuhunan ng komunidad sa ating mga paaralan, ay nagreresulta sa pagpapanatili ng kalidad ng edukasyon.
P.S.
Gusto ko lang idagdag na hindi natatapos ang ganitong relasyon sa mga magulang at sa pag aaral ng kanilang anak kapag nagtapos na ng elementarya ang bata. Kami bilang mga magulang ay kailangang manatiling kasangkot sa mga institusyong pang edukasyon ng aming anak mula elementarya hanggang hayskul. Kahit mag-aaral na sila sa kolehiyo, kung may mga pagkakataong masuportahan ninyo ang karanasan ng inyong anak sa kolehiyo- mga laro, mga kaganapan ng magulang, o mga kaganapan sa sining na kinabibilangan nila at inanyayahan kayong suportahan sila, magpakita kayo!
You must have a love for children and a deep spiritual connectionto whom they are as gifts to humanity?
So many times, I fear from my working with teaching students to become teachers, they have not done the work to find our if they have been “Called” to the profession, or if they just showed up because it was a “real job” and they needed the stability. This then became the first thing on my agenda and the first part of my curriculum for teacher training. I created spaces and assignments throughout their first semester that called them to first look at themselves and answer a series of questions that were purposefully embedded in the assignments. I always started with the question-Who am I? this question involved writing their life story and sharing who they are with the class. Then they could evaluate what areas in their “divine identity” were issues form these life experiences that created their life story up to that point, that they needed to address.
We talk about the baggage we carry as adults that for many of us were left over from our childhood. There is a notion that became popular that “children are resilient and can overcome any trauma because it happens and resolves itself. That is crazy! Children do not forget the things people say and do to them! What they don’t understand on a cognitive level, they retain on a physiological and emotional level. Negative experiences impact the “expression of their soul being”. At the same time, when people say and do things for children that are kind, loving, and make them feel safe, it builds their sense of wellbeing and confidence. Teachers are the second most prominent influence in a young child’s life, with their parent holding first place in a child’s life.
What we as teachers say and do to or for children has a lifetime compact on a child. “We cannot just show up to do this “work”, because teaching is not a “Job”, it has to be your “Work”.
Next, I ask them to define and identity -Who am I in the Lives of Young Children”? This is a make it or break it question when asked of student teachers. Their response is where I take careful evaluation as to if they are or are not “Called” to the honor of serving children!!! I have the responsibility as their trainer and mentor to have a serious conversation with each student to make sure they are aligned with this- the greatest “Work” that impacts who our humanity will show up to be. Every child deserves the best education our countries across the globe can provide. Our children deserve the best teachers the profession can provide them with. It is their birth right!!!
For the next couple of weeks, I will be running a series for parents and teachers on what I feel as a teacher and a Professor of Teacher Training, feels are the elements that need to be in the character development of a teacher that has been “Called” as their “Divine Purpose” to serve children. Having been in the profession of education and as a Parenting Advocate, for over 40 years of my professional life, I feel that it is imperative that parents have a guide as to who should have the humongous responsibility of being their child’s teacher.
We, teachers, parents, and “The Community” are the ones who must advocate for our children. It is an enormous commitment and responsibility.
The Question we must ask ourselves is- “What does it take and whom must you be, to serve children as their teacher? It has been said-
“Many have come, but few have been chosen”!
Are you called to be in the service of children?
I will share each chapter of the book that will be published next year and I am inviting you to join me in discussion each of these ingredients that are required to be a “Called Teacher”. Becoming a teacher is not a “JOB” it has to be your “WORK”!
What does it take and whom must you be, to serve children as their teacher?
You must have a love for children and a deep spiritual connection to who they are as gifts to humanity.
You must have been “Called” into the service of children to care, guide, nurture, protect, and provide opportunities for them that will allow them to discover themselves and their world. This sets the stage for them to develop in the 4 Domains of their being: Cognitively, Physically, Social-Emotionally and Spiritually.
You are charged with teaching children to “love the art of learning”.
You must be intellectually prepared and committed to being a “lifelong learner”, because you understand that “there is always more truth and knowledge” to learn. You must understand that as you continue to learn and enhance your life, that it benefits not only you, but the lives of the children you are serving.
You must be joy filled.
You must be clear- this is living a happy, whole, physically and emotionally healthy life.
You must be patient.
You must be compassionate.
You must be a person of integrity.
You must be honest and forthright.
You must have a willingness to compromise.
You must utilize your creative genius.
You must be humble of Spirit and character.
You must be empathetic.
You must come from a place of “allowing” and not “controlling”.
You must be an advocate for the child and their family.
You must be a good listener- being open and receptive to other’s opinions and cultural values.
You must be just and fair in your decision-making processes.
You must be nonjudgmental otherwise you have closed the door to dialog and communication.
You must hold a space for children that it is always- “A new day”.
You must be able to live in the “Present” as children do so you too can live in the “Presence” and understand their reality of a world that is loving, beautiful, safe, accepting, nurturing, and is “theirs”.
Translation in Spanish:
Los niños son el mayor regalo para la humanidad!
Pequeños consejos para mamás y papás
Los ingredientes de un “Maestro Llamado“.
Durante las próximas dos semanas, estaré llevando a cabo una serie para padres y maestros sobre lo que siento como maestro y profesor de Capacitación Docente, siento que son los elementos que deben estar en el desarrollo del carácter de un maestro que ha sido “llamado” como su “Propósito Divino” para servir a los niños. Después de haber estado en la profesión de la educación y como defensora de la crianza de los hijos, durante más de 40 años de mi vida profesional, siento que es imperativo que los padres tengan una guía sobre quién debe tener la enorme responsabilidad de ser el maestro de sus hijos.
Nosotros, los maestros, los padres y “La Comunidad” somos los que debemos abogar por nuestros hijos. Es un compromiso y una responsabilidad enormes.
La pregunta que debemos hacernos es: “¿Qué se necesita y quién debe ser usted para servir a los niños como sus maestros? Se ha dicho:
“Muchos han venido, pero pocos han sido los elegidos”.
¿Estás llamado a estar al servicio de los niños?
Compartiré cada capítulo del libro que se publicará el próximo año y los invito a unirse a mí en la discusión de cada uno de estos ingredientes que se requieren para ser un “Maestro Llamado”. Convertirse en profesor no es un “TRABAJO”, ¡tiene que ser tu “TRABAJO”!
¿Qué se necesita y quién debe ser usted para servir a los niños como su maestro?
Debes tener amor por los niños y una profunda conexión espiritual con lo que son como regalos para la humanidad.
Debes haber sido “llamado” al servicio de los niños para cuidar, guiar, nutrir, proteger y brindarles oportunidades que les permitan descubrirse a sí mismos y a su mundo. Esto prepara el escenario para que se desarrollen en los 4 dominios de su ser: Cognitivo, Físico, Social-Emocional y Espiritual.
Usted está encargado de enseñar a los niños a “amar el arte de aprender”.
Debes estar preparado intelectualmente y comprometido a ser un “aprendiz de por vida”, porque entiendes que “siempre hay más verdad y conocimiento” que aprender. Debes entender que a medida que continúes aprendiendo y mejorando tu vida, no solo te beneficiará a ti, sino también a la vida de los niños a los que sirves.
Debes estar lleno de alegría.
Debes tener claro que esto es vivir una vida feliz, completa, física y emocionalmente saludable.
Debes tener paciencia.
Debes ser compasivo.
Debes ser una persona íntegra.
Debes ser honesto y directo.
Debes estar dispuesto a hacer concesiones.
Debes utilizar tu genio creativo.
Debes ser humilde de espíritu y carácter.
Debes ser empático.
Debes venir de un lugar de “permitir” y no de “controlar”.
Usted debe ser un defensor del niño y su familia.
Debes ser un buen oyente, ser abierto y receptivo a las opiniones y valores culturales de los demás.
Debes ser justo y equitativo en tus procesos de toma de decisiones.
Debes no juzgar, de lo contrario, habrás cerrado la puerta al diálogo y la comunicación.
Debes tener un espacio para los niños que sea siempre: “Un nuevo día”.
Debes ser capaz de vivir en el “Presente” como lo hacen los niños para que tú también puedas vivir en la “Presencia” y comprender su realidad de un mundo que es amoroso, hermoso, seguro, que acepta, nutre y es “suyo”.
Home schooling is a natural part of engaging as a family. Learning takes place in all aspects of what we do with and for our children.
Home school
I know that the privilege of being able to home school your child is not always feasible for some parents! But there are ways to intercede in your child’s learning experience and take charge of what you want your child to learn and be exposed to! There are gaps in our institutional educational system that we as families can fill in. School or learning is not confined to Monday thru Friday- 8-3! There are teachable moments that happen organically and there are opportunities for us as parents and grandparents as well as extended family and the village we create and sustain to support our children.
I have been blessed as a grandparent to participate in home schooling our grandchildren, and after 34 years of teaching children and teaching teachers in training to teach children, I get to have the honor of teaching our grandchildren to love the gift of learning! One of the most critical gaps in our educational system is not integrating the need for curriculum that is eclectic, focuses on the needs of individualized learning, and the role of social emotional develop that needs to be engrained in the overall curriculum. We have a world that is evolving in some unknown direction at warp speed! We have a responsibility to step in and slow down the life our children are being engulfed into!
They need time to discover who they are and what they are passionate about. And we need to be present for them so that as they engage with the world in and out of school, we are afforded the depth of observation that can take place in the home schooling environment! I don’t want to generalize and say that every home school program is perfection because each of us are doing it differently, but opportunities are there to invest daily in the education of their children.
Those parents that can’t or chose institutional programs must still keep these elements in the forefront of educating their children! I will confess the most difficult challenge I had as a parent was how and where to educate my Nikki! I listened to her and followed her direction. At 4 years old she told me she had to go to a school where they talked about God everyday. So she started out in the Lutheran schools and by 3rd grade she decided she wanted to go to Catholic school and did so thru her college education! It was a fit for her! You have to find the fit for your child!
P.S. I don’t know how she found out about Catholic school because we were not Catholic! But it was sooo Niki!
Ua is an influence in his sister Aoluna’s life everyday and he takes being part of her world seriously
The beauty of learning is that it is limitless and shared with this we love!
The joy that radiates from Celio’s “Spirit” reflects the essence of his soul expression. He is endowed with the dreams and wishes for his life that “Great Spirit” has gifted him with.
Dear “Great Spirit”,
We are so blessed to have children in our midst, to remind us of what each of us possess from the time of our birth- “dreams and wishes for our life gifted by thee”. You know what we need to manifest in our life to complete the desires of your heart for our lives. We know that each of us have been created with our own personal spirit-“Wailua”, that holds these dreams and aspirations for the beauty and fulfillment of our life’s purpose. Our “Wailua” is the protector and nurture of these dreams and precious wishes. Children are so uninhibited and authentic in expressing these treasures than we are as adults. “Great Spirit”, today I ask you to ignite in us again not only the recognition that we possess these dreams and wishes for our life, but to stir up our “Wailua” so that we are energized to manifest them into reality.
We understand that we must cultivate an environment where we take the time and energy to act on our dreams and wishes because these elements of our being play a vital part in our “divine identity” and our relationship with thee. We continue to need your support and guidance in fulfilling our divine purpose and these gifts must come to fruition. Surround us with people in our life that will encourage us and support us. Help us to see these dreams in our children so that we can be of not only support to them but to safeguard their dreams and wishes from being tapered with or nullified by a world that is either jealous or indifferent to who they are as children and what they possess to enrich and enhance humanity. Thank you, “Great Spirit”, for all you do for us and for all you have endowed us with. We are blessed! Ashe! Ashe! Amen!
PS
This post was divined by our family movie night when we watched the Disney movie “Wish”. It hit me so hard how important the desires of our heart and soul are and from whence they come. Our dreams, wishes, and aspirations for our life are our divine birthright!
It is just about loving and caring for each other unconditionally!
Quote: Elizabeth Stone once said: Making the decision to have a child – it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body.
What do I mean when I say that my child is a gift in my life?
Let me start by defining the word “gift” in terms of the Webster’s Dictionary so that while we are engaged in this conversation we have the same understanding. According to the definition “gift” means: That which is given; a natural endowment. Perhaps the most amazing perception of our relationship with our children is that we must see parenting as a being given a gift. It is not something to take lightly. It is absolutely a divine interaction on the part of “Great Spirit”. Sometimes we are very intentional in our desire to be parents and we make all kind of promises if we are blessed with a child. I can remember every conversation I had with God about my yearning to have the honor to bring life into this world. I prayed for the chance to be a mother. I prayed for the opportunity for my husband to have the experience of being a father. All of my life I felt that I was ordained to be a nurturer. My life’s purpose was engulfed in being with children so that I could make a difference in the quality of their lives. I promised God that if he gave me a child, I would give that child back to Him. This is a covenant that cannot be broken. Think about the gift you have been given or the gift you want to accept as a parent in “waiting”.
