Thank you to Ruth Ayres for the opportunity to
focus on celebrations every week! Please join us!
Everyone has a story and I remind myself of that daily. Sometimes I need to remind myself of that minute by minute. I believe we are all doing our best. Getting knocked down is hard. It stinks. It's no fun...but it makes the kindness so much sweeter.
I'm trying to model focusing on the good with my students. It's a practice I began in the beginning of November called The Best Part of My Day! I look for things to notice and then post about it after the students go home. No one has said anything, but that doesn't mean that they don't notice. Here are some of my favorites #TheBestPartofMyDay...
At the end of the post is a prayer and I cry every time I read it. I believe every single syllable of this prayer and I've printed it out and I'm looking for a special place for it. Here it is...
“OH, TEACHERS: Forgive us. We’re sorry that our fear for our kids gets in our own way. We’re sorry that our worry blinds us from seeing you and valuing you. We’re sorry for forgetting that we’re all on the same team. We’re sorry for having such a hard time trusting.
Teachers: Please know that we support you. You are doing the holiest, hardest work on earth. Nobody is more important than the ones who hold our babies in their hands and hearts all day.
WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN WE ARE GOING TO STEP ASIDE AND POINT TO THE TEACHERS AND SAY: THEM FIRST! LET THE TEACHERS IN FIRST! SIT THEM DOWN ON PUFFY, COMFY CLOUDS AND GIVE THEM PEACE, COZY SLIPPERS, BREAD AND CHEESE — AND WE WILL GIVE THEM FOOT RUBS AND USE OUR INSIDE VOICES FOREVER! Amen." ~Momastery
Wishing you a day filled with everything that brings you joy and peace today, my friends. I am spending today at a writing renewal retreat with some of my favorite people in the world, NVWP people. A day filled with friends and writing...sounds heavenly to me!
You continue to inspire me with your positivity and ability to reflect. Have a wonderful time at the retreat! (Drive safely!!)
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a great time today! That last line of her letter is what every parent in the world needs to read. And I don't mean that as a teacher; I mean that as a parent because it is so true. When my kids were little, they saw their teachers more than me during the week. When you stop and think about it, that is pretty important! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy, Michelle! Come back refreshed. We'll be ready to hear all about it.
ReplyDeleteYou take so many good steps to make the days good ones, Michelle. I love the sticky notes, and hope you have a marvelous day today writing.
ReplyDeleteI love this #TheBestPartofMyDay tradition, Michelle. No doubt but that it lifts the spirits of your students. Enjoy the retreat!
ReplyDeleteDo you post #TheBestPartofMyDay in the classroom? I'm thinking it would be such a great practice to share. You are the master of this type of work Michelle. Thank you for the loving prayer. Here's to foot massages and inside voices.
ReplyDeleteJulieanne, Thank you for your kind words. I write it after the students leave for the day. I leave it on my desk for when I come in the next morning...starts my day off with a smile...and then I hang it in the classroom. Right now they are all hanging on the door. I'll post a pic next week. :)
DeleteEnjoy your retreat and yes it is important to remember that everyone has a back story.
ReplyDeleteA writing retreat...wish I were there. I did have a beautiful morning making art. I needed that break. I see your positive message every day. Usually I could echo each thought. I love that you take that time to reflect.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying you weekend. Taking the one to find the best part of my day in my teaching has changed everything for me about this school year. I am also so happy that it connected us and that it is also bringing you happiness! These are beautiful words you share. Genuine and from your heart!!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed your #Bestpartofmyday posts! I read that FB post by Momastery and loved it. I'm working through Carry On, Warrior slowly and am loving it. Sometimes she makes me tear up, and other times I'm laughing out loud. Hope you enjoyed your writing retreat! Sounds renewing. :-)
ReplyDeleteHoping you got those emails in the order you listed them - got knocked down first and then lifted up. I've loved reading your #TheBestPartOfMyDay posts. Never enough time to respond to everyone, but I've enjoyed seeing them on FB.
ReplyDeleteGreat post for teachers!