I highly recommend this book to ALL parents and educators! Full of practical ways to build empathy in children and a solid argument for why empathy is necessary for success. LOVE!
Sunday, October 30, 2016
A great read!
I highly recommend this book to ALL parents and educators! Full of practical ways to build empathy in children and a solid argument for why empathy is necessary for success. LOVE!
Friday, October 7, 2016
To the whole child...
"Why do you do what you do?"
That's a question I've been asked more in the last 6 months than I've ever been asked before.
When I was a teacher, I was commended but not questioned. When I was a stay-at-home mom, I was envied *by those who had no idea how tough it is to stay home with 3 young kids when you're fully engaged* but not questioned. When I was a preschool director pursuing my Master's degree, it was a question of "how" but not "why" am I doing what I'm doing.
As a counselor who sees and hears and experiences tough things, I get a lot of "why".
My answer: Because I love kids.
I am honored to have been called to this profession. I prioritize children because Jesus does. I want to reflect grace, love, forgiveness, redemption, kindness, etc to EVERY child.
And I fully believe that encapsulates teaching the WHOLE child.
We MUST recognize that some kids have been taken to school just after being smacked across the face. Or watching Dad or Boyfriend hit Mom. Sometimes Caregiver is passed out and Seven-Year-Old has to get the "little kids" up and ready for school. Sometimes there's molestation or abandonment that dominate a child's narrative.
These children walk through our doors and are held accountable for academic and behavioral performance.
But what if?
What if we prioritized relationships over learning? What if educators sought connections with the students, understanding of history, and a sense of belonging for each of their kids over anything else? Would improved test scores and academic achievement/appropriate behaviors follow?
Research says "YES!"
I firmly believe that we were created for relationship. If we miss relationship and prioritize performance, we've become legalistic and unfeeling in our approach with each other.... adults and children alike.
We must recognize children as people who have histories that they may not be able to verbalize or make sense of.... and parents as people who may be unequipped and in need of compassion... and teachers as people who may be overwhelmed and lacking in certain soft skill sets... and administrators as people who bear the weight of them all.
We must teach to the whole child.
We must love each other without judgment.
We must seek forgiveness when needed.
And we must act with a spirit of kindness and compassion.
Then we are free to learn from each other and our students can learn from us.
That's a question I've been asked more in the last 6 months than I've ever been asked before.
When I was a teacher, I was commended but not questioned. When I was a stay-at-home mom, I was envied *by those who had no idea how tough it is to stay home with 3 young kids when you're fully engaged* but not questioned. When I was a preschool director pursuing my Master's degree, it was a question of "how" but not "why" am I doing what I'm doing.
As a counselor who sees and hears and experiences tough things, I get a lot of "why".
My answer: Because I love kids.
I am honored to have been called to this profession. I prioritize children because Jesus does. I want to reflect grace, love, forgiveness, redemption, kindness, etc to EVERY child.
And I fully believe that encapsulates teaching the WHOLE child.
We MUST recognize that some kids have been taken to school just after being smacked across the face. Or watching Dad or Boyfriend hit Mom. Sometimes Caregiver is passed out and Seven-Year-Old has to get the "little kids" up and ready for school. Sometimes there's molestation or abandonment that dominate a child's narrative.
These children walk through our doors and are held accountable for academic and behavioral performance.
But what if?
What if we prioritized relationships over learning? What if educators sought connections with the students, understanding of history, and a sense of belonging for each of their kids over anything else? Would improved test scores and academic achievement/appropriate behaviors follow?
Research says "YES!"
I firmly believe that we were created for relationship. If we miss relationship and prioritize performance, we've become legalistic and unfeeling in our approach with each other.... adults and children alike.
We must recognize children as people who have histories that they may not be able to verbalize or make sense of.... and parents as people who may be unequipped and in need of compassion... and teachers as people who may be overwhelmed and lacking in certain soft skill sets... and administrators as people who bear the weight of them all.
We must teach to the whole child.
We must love each other without judgment.
We must seek forgiveness when needed.
And we must act with a spirit of kindness and compassion.
Then we are free to learn from each other and our students can learn from us.
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