“If it’s fast or slow, all I really know is I’m gonna enjoy the ride.” – Krewella
I have been very blessed this Extended School Year session with Culver City Unified School District. I am teaching an amazing group of students, each with their own unique way of being, thinking, and expressing who they are. What I am noticing this year is a shift in my own approach to teaching. I am recognizing the importance of appreciation as a foundation for education. By first appreciating my students for who they are, I am able to better reach them and influence positive growth in their life experiences.
One morning, I was sitting in front of my class and I realized that I was feeling overwhelmed. I was feeling like the task of teaching these students was too much for me. That is when it dawned on me that I was spending too much time trying to control the class and not enough time genuinely appreciating them. A great friend, Dr. Elizabeth Marshall, from the Center for Spiritual Living in Inglewood, recently shared how much she loves being with children. Marshall added that even when she is firm with her own children, and students, she is doing it from a place of love, because she genuinely enjoys being around them.
This simple idea has been rippling through my mind since I heard her say it. I had to ask myself, “How much do I actually enjoy the process of teaching?” What I am now recognizing is that enjoying teaching is a conscious choice I get to make each time I step into the classroom. It reminds me of an experience I once had while surfing. I had noticed that my surfing abilities were improving and started getting very goal oriented in my approach. I was pushing myself to get better. Then one day I had this sick feeling in my stomach as I sat in the ocean. I had to pause and ask myself where that feeling was coming from. That is when I realized that I was so focused on getting somewhere with my surfing that I was losing my joy for the actual activity. I realized that there really is no where to go and that the reason my surfing had improved is because I was enjoying it so much.
While I continue to watch other surfers and learn new techniques, I learned a valuable lesson. I do not surf to get somewhere. I surf to enjoy surfing. This same lesson can be applied in the classroom. While my students’ growth gives me great satisfaction, what I enjoy most is being with my students and appreciating them for who they are. I enjoy figuring out new ways to reach my students, and new ways to support them in achieving their own potential. When I am enjoying the process, I always seem to stumble upon fresh ideas and innovations that I could never have come up with by struggling to figure it all out.
Take a moment and think about the ways you are investing your time. Are you so focused on the end-goal that you are missing the present moment? Are there ways that you can slow down and enjoy the process more? When you take the time to appreciate yourself and everyone that you are collaborating with, you get back into the flow. Taking the time to clear your mind of the frustrations and limiting ideas that have accumulated there will open up space for new ideas and new levels of satisfaction. This will inevitably lead to success in whatever you are doing.
Edward Biagiotti is the Inclusion Specialist for Culver City Unified School District. He is also co-host of the popular radio show, Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed, live each week, Wednesdays at 3 pm on www.UnityOnlineRadio.org. Visit www.TappingIntoGenius.com for more articles and a free, inspirational parenting download.
