Reimagining Learning | Jason Tackett | TEDxMarmaladeLibrary

all right thanks again so it was an

all right thanks again so it was an average school day in the fall of 2013

average school day in the fall of 2013

average school day in the fall of 2013 when I walked back to my classroom to

when I walked back to my classroom to

when I walked back to my classroom to find a woman standing outside my door

find a woman standing outside my door

find a woman standing outside my door and she was looking around and as I

and she was looking around and as I

and she was looking around and as I approached her she turned and said did

approached her she turned and said did

approached her she turned and said did you know that you have a purple bubble

you know that you have a purple bubble

you know that you have a purple bubble around your space and I said no I guess

around your space and I said no I guess

around your space and I said no I guess I didn’t and so and she

I didn’t and so and she

I didn’t and so and she toom then well she and she went on to

toom then well she and she went on to

toom then well she and she went on to tell me that she had followed a group of

tell me that she had followed a group of

tell me that she had followed a group of crows who had directed her to our school

crows who had directed her to our school

crows who had directed her to our school that day and that she was grateful that

that day and that she was grateful that

that day and that she was grateful that she did she said I’m familiar with these

she did she said I’m familiar with these

she did she said I’m familiar with these faces familiar with these faces I’ve

faces familiar with these faces I’ve

faces familiar with these faces I’ve worked in this school I’ve worked with

worked in this school I’ve worked with

worked in this school I’ve worked with these very same students and then

these very same students and then

these very same students and then something feels different here I like it

something feels different here I like it

something feels different here I like it I like the way the students feel the

I like the way the students feel the

I like the way the students feel the space feels different I want to know

space feels different I want to know

space feels different I want to know exactly what’s going on I’m still not

exactly what’s going on I’m still not

exactly what’s going on I’m still not sure who she was I said well I guess

sure who she was I said well I guess

sure who she was I said well I guess we’re just doing some good work together

we’re just doing some good work together

we’re just doing some good work together my students and I is all very well well

my students and I is all very well well

my students and I is all very well well whatever it is it needs to extend beyond

whatever it is it needs to extend beyond

whatever it is it needs to extend beyond these four walls I’m a marriage of

these four walls I’m a marriage of

these four walls I’m a marriage of family counselor I’m a crisis

family counselor I’m a crisis

family counselor I’m a crisis intervention team director and a mental

intervention team director and a mental

intervention team director and a mental health provider I work with students in

health provider I work with students in

health provider I work with students in the gym now at the judicial system and

the gym now at the judicial system and

the gym now at the judicial system and whatever is happening here those

whatever is happening here those

whatever is happening here those students they’re not ready to learn I

students they’re not ready to learn I

students they’re not ready to learn I need them to get available to learn so

need them to get available to learn so

need them to get available to learn so I’ll tell you what to do come up with a

I’ll tell you what to do come up with a

I’ll tell you what to do come up with a timely program I’m going to shop around

timely program I’m going to shop around

timely program I’m going to shop around for it to get it funded and then be in

for it to get it funded and then be in

for it to get it funded and then be in touch we’ll go from there thank you so

touch we’ll go from there thank you so

touch we’ll go from there thank you so much for letting me be in your space

much for letting me be in your space

much for letting me be in your space today it was all so quick right that I’m

today it was all so quick right that I’m

today it was all so quick right that I’m like you’re welcome and so so as she’s

like you’re welcome and so so as she’s

like you’re welcome and so so as she’s leaving she turns and says it’s a funny

leaving she turns and says it’s a funny

leaving she turns and says it’s a funny thing about those crows they never lead

thing about those crows they never lead

thing about those crows they never lead me astray

me astray

me astray they say well I just imagine they

they say well I just imagine they

they say well I just imagine they wouldn’t and so so what that was for me

wouldn’t and so so what that was for me

wouldn’t and so so what that was for me what that turned out to be that

what that turned out to be that

what that turned out to be that interaction was an invitation for deep

interaction was an invitation for deep

interaction was an invitation for deep reflection on what exactly it was my

reflection on what exactly it was my

reflection on what exactly it was my students and I were doing together what

students and I were doing together what

students and I were doing together what was the good work we were doing together

was the good work we were doing together

was the good work we were doing together and and how was that impacting the

and and how was that impacting the

and and how was that impacting the experience around us and so I sat with

experience around us and so I sat with

experience around us and so I sat with that let’s see is that with that

that let’s see is that with that

that let’s see is that with that and I said with my own experience I set

and I said with my own experience I set

and I said with my own experience I set with my experience with my students and

with my experience with my students and

with my experience with my students and what I realized is there was a call for

what I realized is there was a call for

what I realized is there was a call for deep presence and that is one of the

deep presence and that is one of the

deep presence and that is one of the most important things that I that I

most important things that I that I

most important things that I that I could identify that my students and I

could identify that my students and I

could identify that my students and I had uncovered together a comforting

had uncovered together a comforting

had uncovered together a comforting presence in the way of being with one

presence in the way of being with one

presence in the way of being with one another our students are expressing

another our students are expressing

another our students are expressing their needs at all times we all are

their needs at all times we all are

their needs at all times we all are actually in communication we’re

actually in communication we’re

actually in communication we’re expressing our needs through our

expressing our needs through our

expressing our needs through our communication however most of us are not

communication however most of us are not

communication however most of us are not taught how to do that in a way that will

taught how to do that in a way that will

taught how to do that in a way that will get those needs met so our students will

get those needs met so our students will

get those needs met so our students will do it often through their behavior right

do it often through their behavior right

do it often through their behavior right and then what the pressures put on

and then what the pressures put on

and then what the pressures put on teachers we don’t always have the ears

teachers we don’t always have the ears

teachers we don’t always have the ears to listen or turned on to listen to what

to listen or turned on to listen to what

to listen or turned on to listen to what that need might be this being expressed

that need might be this being expressed

that need might be this being expressed through that major disruption or even a

through that major disruption or even a

through that major disruption or even a minor disruption even today schools and

minor disruption even today schools and

minor disruption even today schools and university teacher training programs are

university teacher training programs are

university teacher training programs are not training teachers on how to regulate

not training teachers on how to regulate

not training teachers on how to regulate their own emotions as students act out

their own emotions as students act out

their own emotions as students act out there’s what we are taught to do is to

there’s what we are taught to do is to

there’s what we are taught to do is to manage behavior and so when we through

manage behavior and so when we through

manage behavior and so when we through behavior modification or we’re taught

behavior modification or we’re taught

behavior modification or we’re taught like what’s an appropriate consequence

like what’s an appropriate consequence

like what’s an appropriate consequence for this behavior and who should to whom

for this behavior and who should to whom

for this behavior and who should to whom should we send this student to deal with

should we send this student to deal with

should we send this student to deal with this right so let’s think about behavior

this right so let’s think about behavior

this right so let’s think about behavior when I hear misbehave right if you look

when I hear misbehave right if you look

when I hear misbehave right if you look this up it says it’s a verb of a parent

this up it says it’s a verb of a parent

this up it says it’s a verb of a parent or sorry of an adult especially a child

or sorry of an adult especially a child

or sorry of an adult especially a child it says who fails to conduct themselves

it says who fails to conduct themselves

it says who fails to conduct themselves in a way that is acceptable to others

in a way that is acceptable to others

in a way that is acceptable to others that’s a problem right but you behave

that’s a problem right but you behave

that’s a problem right but you behave badly right what I have learned through

badly right what I have learned through

badly right what I have learned through my interactions with my students is is

my interactions with my students is is

my interactions with my students is is something different about misbehavior

something different about misbehavior

something different about misbehavior for me the way I define this behavior

for me the way I define this behavior

for me the way I define this behavior the way I respond to it

the way I respond to it

the way I respond to it I define it as misbehavior is pain being

I define it as misbehavior is pain being

I define it as misbehavior is pain being expressed in appropriately with

expressed in appropriately with

expressed in appropriately with inappropriately being defined as not

inappropriately being defined as not

inappropriately being defined as not healing for the person expressing the

healing for the person expressing the

healing for the person expressing the pain and not healing for the person to

pain and not healing for the person to

pain and not healing for the person to whom the pain is being expressed this is

whom the pain is being expressed this is

whom the pain is being expressed this is what I this is what that opens up a

what I this is what that opens up a

what I this is what that opens up a different place in me and I don’t think

different place in me and I don’t think

different place in me and I don’t think about managing that child right I think

about managing that child right I think

about managing that child right I think about what we need to uncover together

about what we need to uncover together

about what we need to uncover together through the way we are with one another

through the way we are with one another

through the way we are with one another I do this by listening for the

I do this by listening for the

I do this by listening for the invitations my students have taught me

invitations my students have taught me

invitations my students have taught me there’s over the year what I’ve learned

there’s over the year what I’ve learned

there’s over the year what I’ve learned that there are always two

that there are always two

that there are always two leaves one invitation is for connection

leaves one invitation is for connection

leaves one invitation is for connection one invitation is for disconnection

one invitation is for disconnection

one invitation is for disconnection through deep presence whether it be

through deep presence whether it be

through deep presence whether it be through flee develop a mindfulness

through flee develop a mindfulness

through flee develop a mindfulness practice which I encourage mindfulness

practice which I encourage mindfulness

practice which I encourage mindfulness in schools through through D presents

in schools through through D presents

in schools through through D presents were able to begin to recognize those

were able to begin to recognize those

were able to begin to recognize those invitations what’s there and then be

invitations what’s there and then be

invitations what’s there and then be conscious and how we choose to respond I

conscious and how we choose to respond I

conscious and how we choose to respond I had a student one time who went to lunch

had a student one time who went to lunch

had a student one time who went to lunch and she saved the spot for her favorite

and she saved the spot for her favorite

and she saved the spot for her favorite friend to sit down beside her and she

friend to sit down beside her and she

friend to sit down beside her and she fought for that spot she didn’t just say

fought for that spot she didn’t just say

fought for that spot she didn’t just say that she put her leg got fought for it

that she put her leg got fought for it

that she put her leg got fought for it so no one else could sit there when the

so no one else could sit there when the

so no one else could sit there when the friend came out she said I saved you a

friend came out she said I saved you a

friend came out she said I saved you a spot come and sit down and the friend

spot come and sit down and the friend

spot come and sit down and the friend said I will appear I may be not a friend

said I will appear I may be not a friend

said I will appear I may be not a friend of here said not let’s sit by you and

of here said not let’s sit by you and

of here said not let’s sit by you and everybody laughed right so my student

everybody laughed right so my student

everybody laughed right so my student says well you’re a witch – the W plus

says well you’re a witch – the W plus

says well you’re a witch – the W plus the B ok and so and so the support staff

the B ok and so and so the support staff

the B ok and so and so the support staff students are up to my room to deal with

students are up to my room to deal with

students are up to my room to deal with her behavior right and so she comes to

her behavior right and so she comes to

her behavior right and so she comes to me and I said did you call her which no

me and I said did you call her which no

me and I said did you call her which no one ever said that before whatever but

one ever said that before whatever but

one ever said that before whatever but never really said that and I said I

never really said that and I said I

never really said that and I said I think you did Mike and it’s okay you can

think you did Mike and it’s okay you can

think you did Mike and it’s okay you can tell me no I never said that once before

tell me no I never said that once before

tell me no I never said that once before I noticed an invitation there’s

I noticed an invitation there’s

I noticed an invitation there’s something triggered in me it’s called my

something triggered in me it’s called my

something triggered in me it’s called my ego right I was being lied to right and

ego right I was being lied to right and

ego right I was being lied to right and so I could respond from that place and

so I could respond from that place and

so I could respond from that place and what kind of consequence could I set

what kind of consequence could I set

what kind of consequence could I set there right

there right

there right maybe to have her eat lunch in the

maybe to have her eat lunch in the

maybe to have her eat lunch in the office for the rest of the week for

office for the rest of the week for

office for the rest of the week for lying to me

lying to me

lying to me she shouldn’t be lying to me I’m her

she shouldn’t be lying to me I’m her

she shouldn’t be lying to me I’m her teacher luckily I didn’t respond to that

teacher luckily I didn’t respond to that

teacher luckily I didn’t respond to that invitation in fact I politely declined

invitation in fact I politely declined

invitation in fact I politely declined it their invitation I did respond to was

it their invitation I did respond to was

it their invitation I did respond to was one for connection so when she when she

one for connection so when she when she

one for connection so when she when she said to me know I’ve never said that

said to me know I’ve never said that

said to me know I’ve never said that before in my life I said I know it’s so

before in my life I said I know it’s so

before in my life I said I know it’s so hard right now to do it but if you can

hard right now to do it but if you can

hard right now to do it but if you can look at me I’m asking you to do it I

look at me I’m asking you to do it I

look at me I’m asking you to do it I said you are so safe with me and I hope

said you are so safe with me and I hope

said you are so safe with me and I hope that you can feel that I said I don’t

that you can feel that I said I don’t

that you can feel that I said I don’t even care about the truth of what

even care about the truth of what

even care about the truth of what happened there what I care about is you

happened there what I care about is you

happened there what I care about is you what I care about is this a relationship

what I care about is this a relationship

what I care about is this a relationship that we share and what I know is that

that we share and what I know is that

that we share and what I know is that this relationship will feel satisfying

this relationship will feel satisfying

this relationship will feel satisfying to us if we can be honest with one

to us if we can be honest with one

to us if we can be honest with one another that’s the only reason I ask

another that’s the only reason I ask

another that’s the only reason I ask what I think the honest truth is about

what I think the honest truth is about

what I think the honest truth is about what happened here is that you save that

what happened here is that you save that

what happened here is that you save that seat for that little girl and you wanted

seat for that little girl and you wanted

seat for that little girl and you wanted her to sit beside you so badly and when

her to sit beside you so badly and when

her to sit beside you so badly and when she didn’t and when she said she didn’t

she didn’t and when she said she didn’t

she didn’t and when she said she didn’t want to sit by the length of you and

want to sit by the length of you and

want to sit by the length of you and everybody laughed I think it hurts your

everybody laughed I think it hurts your

everybody laughed I think it hurts your feelings no I didn’t hurt my feelings

feelings no I didn’t hurt my feelings

feelings no I didn’t hurt my feelings she said it didn’t hurt my feelings

she said it didn’t hurt my feelings

she said it didn’t hurt my feelings and I and I said do those girls

and I and I said do those girls

and I and I said do those girls sometimes hurt people’s feelings well

sometimes hurt people’s feelings well

sometimes hurt people’s feelings well sometimes I guess they hurt people’s

sometimes I guess they hurt people’s

sometimes I guess they hurt people’s feelings I said I think you’re right and

feelings I said I think you’re right and

feelings I said I think you’re right and I think those girls hurt your feelings

I think those girls hurt your feelings

I think those girls hurt your feelings today they hurt my feelings right and so

today they hurt my feelings right and so

today they hurt my feelings right and so she burst into tears right and she falls

she burst into tears right and she falls

she burst into tears right and she falls apart right there puts her head down and

apart right there puts her head down and

apart right there puts her head down and she soft and I let her sob right there

she soft and I let her sob right there

she soft and I let her sob right there was a great pain and she yes she added

was a great pain and she yes she added

was a great pain and she yes she added she said they hurt my feelings I’m sick

she said they hurt my feelings I’m sick

she said they hurt my feelings I’m sick and tired of dealing with this I’ve

and tired of dealing with this I’ve

and tired of dealing with this I’ve dealt with this since first grade I have

dealt with this since first grade I have

dealt with this since first grade I have no friends right and so she sobbed and

no friends right and so she sobbed and

no friends right and so she sobbed and sobbed and I said in presence with her

sobbed and I said in presence with her

sobbed and I said in presence with her and let her purge with the big pain that

and let her purge with the big pain that

and let her purge with the big pain that she’s been carrying around for those

she’s been carrying around for those

she’s been carrying around for those last five years and then when there was

last five years and then when there was

last five years and then when there was a greater availability having released

a greater availability having released

a greater availability having released some of that we had discussions about

some of that we had discussions about

some of that we had discussions about what might than me what might her needs

what might than me what might her needs

what might than me what might her needs and feelings be around that experience

and feelings be around that experience

and feelings be around that experience we even guessed at what the needs and

we even guessed at what the needs and

we even guessed at what the needs and feelings would be with the other

feelings would be with the other

feelings would be with the other students in that experience and so

students in that experience and so

students in that experience and so through that we were able to arrive at a

through that we were able to arrive at a

through that we were able to arrive at a greater place of compassion and a

greater place of compassion and a

greater place of compassion and a different way to respond when those

different way to respond when those

different way to respond when those feelings arise in us that was done

feelings arise in us that was done

feelings arise in us that was done through something that I’ve also learned

through something that I’ve also learned

through something that I’ve also learned with the kids is trying to create safety

with the kids is trying to create safety

with the kids is trying to create safety in every moment safety and how they

in every moment safety and how they

in every moment safety and how they safety and how I respond to them one way

safety and how I respond to them one way

safety and how I respond to them one way I’ll do that is I’ll listen to myself as

I’ll do that is I’ll listen to myself as

I’ll do that is I’ll listen to myself as I speak to them because what I have

I speak to them because what I have

I speak to them because what I have noticed is that almost everything I’m

noticed is that almost everything I’m

noticed is that almost everything I’m saying to them largely it’s for me but

saying to them largely it’s for me but

saying to them largely it’s for me but to there’s some conditioning there that

to there’s some conditioning there that

to there’s some conditioning there that I want to be very conscious of so when

I want to be very conscious of so when

I want to be very conscious of so when I’m responding to a certain behavior or

I’m responding to a certain behavior or

I’m responding to a certain behavior or something that something that they’ve

something that something that they’ve

something that something that they’ve said to me I want to be conscious of how

said to me I want to be conscious of how

said to me I want to be conscious of how I respond to them and make sure it’s my

I respond to them and make sure it’s my

I respond to them and make sure it’s my clean and clear voice that they’re

clean and clear voice that they’re

clean and clear voice that they’re hearing so when I respond in a way I

hearing so when I respond in a way I

hearing so when I respond in a way I will pause and see who is speaking here

will pause and see who is speaking here

will pause and see who is speaking here when I was spoken to in that I felt how

when I was spoken to in that I felt how

when I was spoken to in that I felt how do I feel right how what did it create

do I feel right how what did it create

do I feel right how what did it create when I was spoken to in this way and

when I was spoken to in this way and

when I was spoken to in this way and what is the what did it do for our

what is the what did it do for our

what is the what did it do for our relationship or what did it not do and

relationship or what did it not do and

relationship or what did it not do and so I want to be very conscious about

so I want to be very conscious about

so I want to be very conscious about what the students and I can’t do that

what the students and I can’t do that

what the students and I can’t do that always in the moment right but what will

always in the moment right but what will

always in the moment right but what will create the time for that there’s a big

create the time for that there’s a big

create the time for that there’s a big issue of time in our schools there’s a

issue of time in our schools there’s a

issue of time in our schools there’s a lot of talk about there’s not time for

lot of talk about there’s not time for

lot of talk about there’s not time for these things I’m telling you there is

these things I’m telling you there is

these things I’m telling you there is absolutely the need for time that has to

absolutely the need for time that has to

absolutely the need for time that has to be created

be created

be created it will save so much time what I have

it will save so much time what I have

it will save so much time what I have found is that doing things like this

found is that doing things like this

found is that doing things like this will

will

will reduce the duration of outburst of

reduce the duration of outburst of

reduce the duration of outburst of tantrum like behavior of shutdowns the

tantrum like behavior of shutdowns the

tantrum like behavior of shutdowns the things of this nature there is time for

things of this nature there is time for

things of this nature there is time for it there was a student in our school

it there was a student in our school

it there was a student in our school been there two weeks two weeks before

been there two weeks two weeks before

been there two weeks two weeks before and then what I did not know him but

and then what I did not know him but

and then what I did not know him but somebody came and said he is he’s

somebody came and said he is he’s

somebody came and said he is he’s misbehaving he’s throwing everything

misbehaving he’s throwing everything

misbehaving he’s throwing everything he’s not he’s not doing his work right

he’s not he’s not doing his work right

he’s not he’s not doing his work right two weeks the child had been there and

two weeks the child had been there and

two weeks the child had been there and so talked to him and then when I found

so talked to him and then when I found

so talked to him and then when I found out in that short talk with him is right

out in that short talk with him is right

out in that short talk with him is right before school he had just been adopted

before school he had just been adopted

before school he had just been adopted by put into foster care taken from his

by put into foster care taken from his

by put into foster care taken from his mother put into foster care with another

mother put into foster care with another

mother put into foster care with another family a new family and started a new

family a new family and started a new

family a new family and started a new school where he knew no one what did we

school where he knew no one what did we

school where he knew no one what did we expect what happened there except for

expect what happened there except for

expect what happened there except for misbehavior right without the language

misbehavior right without the language

misbehavior right without the language to communicate how deeply traumatic that

to communicate how deeply traumatic that

to communicate how deeply traumatic that is and so through that interaction I

is and so through that interaction I

is and so through that interaction I tuned in to the feeling there that I

tuned in to the feeling there that I

tuned in to the feeling there that I recognized in him and the need that he

recognized in him and the need that he

recognized in him and the need that he caused are able to quite express and so

caused are able to quite express and so

caused are able to quite express and so I sat with him and I said you know I

I sat with him and I said you know I

I sat with him and I said you know I opened my classroom sometimes at lunch

opened my classroom sometimes at lunch

opened my classroom sometimes at lunch if you’ve got if there’s somebody you

if you’ve got if there’s somebody you

if you’ve got if there’s somebody you think you might want to make a friend

think you might want to make a friend

think you might want to make a friend here why don’t you invite them in and we

here why don’t you invite them in and we

here why don’t you invite them in and we can have a lunch with him and they can

can have a lunch with him and they can

can have a lunch with him and they can you know be in our space and I’ll show

you know be in our space and I’ll show

you know be in our space and I’ll show you all the things we do in there and so

you all the things we do in there and so

you all the things we do in there and so he’s done that and so this little boy

he’s done that and so this little boy

he’s done that and so this little boy though who was it was not a behavior

though who was it was not a behavior

though who was it was not a behavior problem this little boy through this

problem this little boy through this

problem this little boy through this interaction was able to then get his

interaction was able to then get his

interaction was able to then get his work done keep his head up write respond

work done keep his head up write respond

work done keep his head up write respond make friends

make friends

make friends he’s a vibrant little being who runs

he’s a vibrant little being who runs

he’s a vibrant little being who runs around our school and that interaction

around our school and that interaction

around our school and that interaction when I talk about time two weeks of

when I talk about time two weeks of

when I talk about time two weeks of instruction was missed I had a

instruction was missed I had a

instruction was missed I had a conversation with him for about 15

conversation with him for about 15

conversation with him for about 15 minutes to find out what was going on

minutes to find out what was going on

minutes to find out what was going on and then we came up with something that

and then we came up with something that

and then we came up with something that could make him feel safe so safety in

could make him feel safe so safety in

could make him feel safe so safety in every moment is what we’re going after

every moment is what we’re going after

every moment is what we’re going after there when we approach when we encounter

there when we approach when we encounter

there when we approach when we encounter resistance there’s something there to be

resistance there’s something there to be

resistance there’s something there to be had into the you to be felt to be seen

had into the you to be felt to be seen

had into the you to be felt to be seen to be understood I approach resistance I

to be understood I approach resistance I

to be understood I approach resistance I try to listen for that invitation to

try to listen for that invitation to

try to listen for that invitation to raise curiosity and creativity when

raise curiosity and creativity when

raise curiosity and creativity when resistance comes up so for example in a

resistance comes up so for example in a

resistance comes up so for example in a mindfulness lesson with my student

mindfulness lesson with my student

mindfulness lesson with my student whenever he says you know this is stupid

whenever he says you know this is stupid

whenever he says you know this is stupid and I’m not doing it right the

and I’m not doing it right the

and I’m not doing it right the resistance was there

resistance was there

resistance was there I could either said I put you know a

I could either said I put you know a

I could either said I put you know a consequence for him have him removed or

consequence for him have him removed or

consequence for him have him removed or something

something

something what I wanted to do what I did is

what I wanted to do what I did is

what I wanted to do what I did is responded with curiosity and creativity

responded with curiosity and creativity

responded with curiosity and creativity because what I have learned in my own

because what I have learned in my own

because what I have learned in my own life is that I am often most resistant

life is that I am often most resistant

life is that I am often most resistant to the one thing that I need the most

to the one thing that I need the most

to the one thing that I need the most right so the one thing that might help

right so the one thing that might help

right so the one thing that might help me the most this kid who was talking

me the most this kid who was talking

me the most this kid who was talking about this just happened to be my most

about this just happened to be my most

about this just happened to be my most impulsive kid who was kicked out of his

impulsive kid who was kicked out of his

impulsive kid who was kicked out of his regular ed classes often and so we got

regular ed classes often and so we got

regular ed classes often and so we got creative and we started and I said

creative and we started and I said

creative and we started and I said because he lived for recess loved it and

because he lived for recess loved it and

because he lived for recess loved it and so I said hey buddy has like how about

so I said hey buddy has like how about

so I said hey buddy has like how about you and I 30 seconds 30 seconds closed

you and I 30 seconds 30 seconds closed

you and I 30 seconds 30 seconds closed eye meditation extra minute of recess

eye meditation extra minute of recess

eye meditation extra minute of recess deal yeah yeah okay so so so we did that

deal yeah yeah okay so so so we did that

deal yeah yeah okay so so so we did that and then we ended up going back to five

and then we ended up going back to five

and then we ended up going back to five seconds to ten seconds to 20 seconds

seconds to ten seconds to 20 seconds

seconds to ten seconds to 20 seconds right and he said I feel like I’m

right and he said I feel like I’m

right and he said I feel like I’m crawling out of my body and when he did

crawling out of my body and when he did

crawling out of my body and when he did we explored that right with curiosity

we explored that right with curiosity

we explored that right with curiosity where in your body do you feel that what

where in your body do you feel that what

where in your body do you feel that what does it feel like can you begin to name

does it feel like can you begin to name

does it feel like can you begin to name it and as he began to watch it he began

it and as he began to watch it he began

it and as he began to watch it he began to grow up his capacity to be with

to grow up his capacity to be with

to grow up his capacity to be with himself right he began to grow up his

himself right he began to grow up his

himself right he began to grow up his capacity to to notice the invitations of

capacity to to notice the invitations of

capacity to to notice the invitations of his own that were coming up that he was

his own that were coming up that he was

his own that were coming up that he was so often just blazing through and

so often just blazing through and

so often just blazing through and reacting to through impulsive behavior

reacting to through impulsive behavior

reacting to through impulsive behavior what happened with him is he was able to

what happened with him is he was able to

what happened with him is he was able to return to his regular classroom

return to his regular classroom

return to his regular classroom participate more for longer durations of

participate more for longer durations of

participate more for longer durations of time in in the classroom with his peers

time in in the classroom with his peers

time in in the classroom with his peers and have a greater education through

and have a greater education through

and have a greater education through that constructing identities is

that constructing identities is

that constructing identities is something I want to strongly encourage

something I want to strongly encourage

something I want to strongly encourage and whatever capacity we work with

and whatever capacity we work with

and whatever capacity we work with anybody or in relationship to anybody

anybody or in relationship to anybody

anybody or in relationship to anybody our children are building their

our children are building their

our children are building their identities right before our eyes they’re

identities right before our eyes they’re

identities right before our eyes they’re building their identities and they’re

building their identities and they’re

building their identities and they’re building their memories and we get to

building their memories and we get to

building their memories and we get to participate in that think about that

participate in that think about that

participate in that think about that that is a precious gift that it’s been

that is a precious gift that it’s been

that is a precious gift that it’s been bestowed on us to participate in someone

bestowed on us to participate in someone

bestowed on us to participate in someone memories there’s a grand responsibility

memories there’s a grand responsibility

memories there’s a grand responsibility and so when I’m with them I watched the

and so when I’m with them I watched the

and so when I’m with them I watched the their build their little identities

their build their little identities

their build their little identities right and mostly I just take joy in it

right and mostly I just take joy in it

right and mostly I just take joy in it but I do make it take to make a special

but I do make it take to make a special

but I do make it take to make a special effort to interrupt identities that

effort to interrupt identities that

effort to interrupt identities that don’t support their wholeness if I see a

don’t support their wholeness if I see a

don’t support their wholeness if I see a kid in a process I’ll sit with them all

kid in a process I’ll sit with them all

kid in a process I’ll sit with them all day right well we can get through the

day right well we can get through the

day right well we can get through the process if I watch you in a pattern

process if I watch you in a pattern

process if I watch you in a pattern patience is going to wear right I’m not

patience is going to wear right I’m not

patience is going to wear right I’m not going to sit for that for very low right

going to sit for that for very low right

going to sit for that for very low right so we’re going to interrupt some

so we’re going to interrupt some

so we’re going to interrupt some patterns there and

patterns there and

patterns there and and this was from something that I

and this was from something that I

and this was from something that I needed in my own childhood there’s this

needed in my own childhood there’s this

needed in my own childhood there’s this picture here of a school I’ve marked

picture here of a school I’ve marked

picture here of a school I’ve marked safe danger danger

safe danger danger

safe danger danger as a child about being a queer kid and

as a child about being a queer kid and

as a child about being a queer kid and at a conservative school recess was

at a conservative school recess was

at a conservative school recess was terrifying so I stood right here where I

terrifying so I stood right here where I

terrifying so I stood right here where I could see where everybody was no one

could see where everybody was no one

could see where everybody was no one could hurt me that way right because I

could hurt me that way right because I

could hurt me that way right because I could run if they came towards me but

could run if they came towards me but

could run if they came towards me but somebody did come towards me an item

somebody did come towards me an item

somebody did come towards me an item missed it I still don’t how I missed it

missed it I still don’t how I missed it

missed it I still don’t how I missed it came towards me and ran at me and hit me

came towards me and ran at me and hit me

came towards me and ran at me and hit me so hard on my arm I thought it had broke

so hard on my arm I thought it had broke

so hard on my arm I thought it had broke and I’ve never been punched that way

and I’ve never been punched that way

and I’ve never been punched that way right and so he he punched me and I I

right and so he he punched me and I I

right and so he he punched me and I I gasped and I but I couldn’t say I had to

gasped and I but I couldn’t say I had to

gasped and I but I couldn’t say I had to say face right I couldn’t respond is

say face right I couldn’t respond is

say face right I couldn’t respond is that the way my body was asking for the

that the way my body was asking for the

that the way my body was asking for the response to the response my body was

response to the response my body was

response to the response my body was requesting right and so I tried to laugh

requesting right and so I tried to laugh

requesting right and so I tried to laugh it off inside now right and so and I did

it off inside now right and so and I did

it off inside now right and so and I did right and so when I went back into class

right and so when I went back into class

right and so when I went back into class I had a test coming up next and so when

I had a test coming up next and so when

I had a test coming up next and so when I sat down to take that test I who had

I sat down to take that test I who had

I sat down to take that test I who had always been a pretty good student very

always been a pretty good student very

always been a pretty good student very kind in school groep this across my test

kind in school groep this across my test

kind in school groep this across my test and flipped to the desk right so who I

and flipped to the desk right so who I

and flipped to the desk right so who I was right or it was that with who I was

was right or it was that with who I was

was right or it was that with who I was er I was responding to something that

er I was responding to something that

er I was responding to something that had happened her and without the ability

had happened her and without the ability

had happened her and without the ability to express those feelings I built

to express those feelings I built

to express those feelings I built something an identity that day I

something an identity that day I

something an identity that day I swallowed something that day and I watch

swallowed something that day and I watch

swallowed something that day and I watch for my children to make sure that they

for my children to make sure that they

for my children to make sure that they don’t swallow the same type of things

don’t swallow the same type of things

don’t swallow the same type of things there’s a great lie of our time that we

there’s a great lie of our time that we

there’s a great lie of our time that we are unworthy that there is the we are

are unworthy that there is the we are

are unworthy that there is the we are not enough it is the great poison of our

not enough it is the great poison of our

not enough it is the great poison of our time and we’re invited to drink it all

time and we’re invited to drink it all

time and we’re invited to drink it all the time in that moment I drank it and

the time in that moment I drank it and

the time in that moment I drank it and it took me years to impac it still

it took me years to impac it still

it took me years to impac it still working on it to be injured to be

working on it to be injured to be

working on it to be injured to be truthful in that moment I swallowed a

truthful in that moment I swallowed a

truthful in that moment I swallowed a belief that I was not worthy of being

belief that I was not worthy of being

belief that I was not worthy of being safe that there was something wrong with

safe that there was something wrong with

safe that there was something wrong with me that they were right me playing with

me that they were right me playing with

me that they were right me playing with dolls and being effeminate like it was

dolls and being effeminate like it was

dolls and being effeminate like it was absolutely not okay

absolutely not okay

absolutely not okay and I was not worthy of safety right it

and I was not worthy of safety right it

and I was not worthy of safety right it took so I watched that with my students

took so I watched that with my students

took so I watched that with my students I want to be very conscious about the

I want to be very conscious about the

I want to be very conscious about the identities they built when one of my

identities they built when one of my

identities they built when one of my students came back with his behavior log

students came back with his behavior log

students came back with his behavior log from being in his class and it said that

from being in his class and it said that

from being in his class and it said that he had said something on there he was a

he had said something on there he was a

he had said something on there he was a good-hearted wonderful kid and he came

good-hearted wonderful kid and he came

good-hearted wonderful kid and he came in and what they had written that he had

in and what they had written that he had

in and what they had written that he had said was so

said was so

said was so vulgar I won’t repeat it but it took my

vulgar I won’t repeat it but it took my

vulgar I won’t repeat it but it took my I just didn’t I’ve never heard anything

I just didn’t I’ve never heard anything

I just didn’t I’ve never heard anything like that from him so I like I’m like a

like that from him so I like I’m like a

like that from him so I like I’m like a buddy come in can’t be that bad let me

buddy come in can’t be that bad let me

buddy come in can’t be that bad let me see what is it so he hands me his point

see what is it so he hands me his point

see what is it so he hands me his point sheet right hands up to me and I look

sheet right hands up to me and I look

sheet right hands up to me and I look and I didn’t mean to shame him I’ll tell

and I didn’t mean to shame him I’ll tell

and I didn’t mean to shame him I’ll tell you right now as I’m standing here it

you right now as I’m standing here it

you right now as I’m standing here it just kind of caught me off guard and so

just kind of caught me off guard and so

just kind of caught me off guard and so I know it’s not like you know he said no

I know it’s not like you know he said no

I know it’s not like you know he said no and I watched him dope and gulp and I

and I watched him dope and gulp and I

and I watched him dope and gulp and I said no i was like don’t you do that

said no i was like don’t you do that

said no i was like don’t you do that don’t you swallow that i was like that

don’t you swallow that i was like that

don’t you swallow that i was like that is that is poison don’t you swallow your

is that is poison don’t you swallow your

is that is poison don’t you swallow your spit it out i said honey this is

spit it out i said honey this is

spit it out i said honey this is something that you did it is not

something that you did it is not

something that you did it is not something that you are I know your heart

something that you are I know your heart

something that you are I know your heart right I know your heart this is

right I know your heart this is

right I know your heart this is something that you did it is not

something that you did it is not

something that you did it is not something that you are do not get this

something that you are do not get this

something that you are do not get this confused and we can learn from this you

confused and we can learn from this you

confused and we can learn from this you know and so we did I watched their

know and so we did I watched their

know and so we did I watched their identities I try to create opportunities

identities I try to create opportunities

identities I try to create opportunities for them to be celebrated to have people

for them to be celebrated to have people

for them to be celebrated to have people and their families celebrated and

and their families celebrated and

and their families celebrated and recognized we go around sharing those

recognized we go around sharing those

recognized we go around sharing those with students create special

with students create special

with students create special opportunities things that are important

opportunities things that are important

opportunities things that are important for him and I’ve got a video of him

for him and I’ve got a video of him

for him and I’ve got a video of him saying this is the best day of my life

saying this is the best day of my life

saying this is the best day of my life that’s what I love that’s a memory I

that’s what I love that’s a memory I

that’s what I love that’s a memory I love that we’re creating power of

love that we’re creating power of

love that we’re creating power of reflection I want my students to be able

reflection I want my students to be able

reflection I want my students to be able to reflect why one for the information

to reflect why one for the information

to reflect why one for the information it will provide them that they can tune

it will provide them that they can tune

it will provide them that they can tune in to the big power that they have

in to the big power that they have

in to the big power that they have that’s available to them at all times

that’s available to them at all times

that’s available to them at all times the power that we don’t talk about right

the power that we don’t talk about right

the power that we don’t talk about right no one told me in that moment or the

no one told me in that moment or the

no one told me in that moment or the when I was being bullied or something in

when I was being bullied or something in

when I was being bullied or something in school no one told me you have power

school no one told me you have power

school no one told me you have power that doesn’t that these people can’t

that doesn’t that these people can’t

that doesn’t that these people can’t touch right and so I want to make sure I

touch right and so I want to make sure I

touch right and so I want to make sure I do that with my students we do an

do that with my students we do an

do that with my students we do an activity called you probably didn’t know

activity called you probably didn’t know

activity called you probably didn’t know and so you probably didn’t know this

and so you probably didn’t know this

and so you probably didn’t know this activity we go through a guided

activity we go through a guided

activity we go through a guided meditation and what I am trying to get

meditation and what I am trying to get

meditation and what I am trying to get through this is I want them to honor

through this is I want them to honor

through this is I want them to honor that they have been seen but they don’t

that they have been seen but they don’t

that they have been seen but they don’t really have the language always to go

really have the language always to go

really have the language always to go through and talk about like if I say

through and talk about like if I say

through and talk about like if I say like tell me about time you’ve been seen

like tell me about time you’ve been seen

like tell me about time you’ve been seen it’s difficult at times for them and

it’s difficult at times for them and

it’s difficult at times for them and that’s a it’s a little bit too personal

that’s a it’s a little bit too personal

that’s a it’s a little bit too personal too vulnerable and so we go into

too vulnerable and so we go into

too vulnerable and so we go into meditation when we talk about and I say

meditation when we talk about and I say

meditation when we talk about and I say then you know imagine a time when you

then you know imagine a time when you

then you know imagine a time when you felt safe and loved or cared for or

felt safe and loved or cared for or

felt safe and loved or cared for or supported or just really excited and

supported or just really excited and

supported or just really excited and I’ll say let your mind go back a little

I’ll say let your mind go back a little

I’ll say let your mind go back a little bit and

bit and

bit and take a look to see who was involved in

take a look to see who was involved in

take a look to see who was involved in that experience with you and how did

that experience with you and how did

that experience with you and how did they contribute to the feelings that you

they contribute to the feelings that you

they contribute to the feelings that you had that day how are they using their

had that day how are they using their

had that day how are they using their energy in a way that contributed to that

energy in a way that contributed to that

energy in a way that contributed to that feeling and when they come out then we

feeling and when they come out then we

feeling and when they come out then we take a moment and we write down on a

take a moment and we write down on a

take a moment and we write down on a letter you probably didn’t know that

letter you probably didn’t know that

letter you probably didn’t know that when you blink

when you blink

when you blink I felt blank and so and then we try to

I felt blank and so and then we try to

I felt blank and so and then we try to thank you and we send that out here are

thank you and we send that out here are

thank you and we send that out here are some examples dear mr. G you probably

some examples dear mr. G you probably

some examples dear mr. G you probably didn’t know that when you taught me how

didn’t know that when you taught me how

didn’t know that when you taught me how to to do math it made me feel like I

to to do math it made me feel like I

to to do math it made me feel like I belong in this scary world and that gets

belong in this scary world and that gets

belong in this scary world and that gets me because I know the scary world that

me because I know the scary world that

me because I know the scary world that he was living in at the time and

he was living in at the time and

he was living in at the time and anything that can make him feel safe in

anything that can make him feel safe in

anything that can make him feel safe in a scary world I was very happy about

a scary world I was very happy about

a scary world I was very happy about this one right here tune into this part

this one right here tune into this part

this one right here tune into this part this is the this is a third grader they

this is the this is a third grader they

this is the this is a third grader they these children they have the ability to

these children they have the ability to

these children they have the ability to reflect and to learn from the reflection

reflect and to learn from the reflection

reflect and to learn from the reflection and I tell you they’re not given time in

and I tell you they’re not given time in

and I tell you they’re not given time in schools I’m in school every day they’re

schools I’m in school every day they’re

schools I’m in school every day they’re not invited to tune into their own

not invited to tune into their own

not invited to tune into their own information it is about teaching

information it is about teaching

information it is about teaching something and then saying it back maybe

something and then saying it back maybe

something and then saying it back maybe explore their own thinking through that

explore their own thinking through that

explore their own thinking through that particular subject but coming in and

particular subject but coming in and

particular subject but coming in and being invited to share something that

being invited to share something that

being invited to share something that they have learned along their journey if

they have learned along their journey if

they have learned along their journey if I can’t recognize when it happens if it

I can’t recognize when it happens if it

I can’t recognize when it happens if it is I love this part mr. Arnold you

is I love this part mr. Arnold you

is I love this part mr. Arnold you treated me better than I treated you I

treated me better than I treated you I

treated me better than I treated you I want to say I’m sorry for not giving you

want to say I’m sorry for not giving you

want to say I’m sorry for not giving you more respect I know you’ve always been

more respect I know you’ve always been

more respect I know you’ve always been there for me third grade child could

there for me third grade child could

there for me third grade child could reflect and do this I did not coach him

reflect and do this I did not coach him

reflect and do this I did not coach him I do not prompt them beyond thinking

I do not prompt them beyond thinking

I do not prompt them beyond thinking about a time no prompting didn’t have to

about a time no prompting didn’t have to

about a time no prompting didn’t have to be school I asked him to think about a

be school I asked him to think about a

be school I asked him to think about a time when he felt safe he said you

time when he felt safe he said you

time when he felt safe he said you probably didn’t know this but when you

probably didn’t know this but when you

probably didn’t know this but when you gave me those tree nuts when I was

gave me those tree nuts when I was

gave me those tree nuts when I was hungry that morning it made me feel like

hungry that morning it made me feel like

hungry that morning it made me feel like there was no other teacher like you you

there was no other teacher like you you

there was no other teacher like you you were like some super teacher those teeth

were like some super teacher those teeth

were like some super teacher those teeth yes most teachers someone who said sorry

yes most teachers someone who said sorry

yes most teachers someone who said sorry you’re hungry but you cared for my

you’re hungry but you cared for my

you’re hungry but you cared for my hunger and caring as a true superpower

hunger and caring as a true superpower

hunger and caring as a true superpower right when he sent this recognized that

right when he sent this recognized that

right when he sent this recognized that as an invitation for connection right

as an invitation for connection right

as an invitation for connection right this childhood give such grief to that

this childhood give such grief to that

this childhood give such grief to that teacher you know and resisting

teacher you know and resisting

teacher you know and resisting everything that she’s trying to teach

everything that she’s trying to teach

everything that she’s trying to teach him in that moment there was an

him in that moment there was an

him in that moment there was an invitation for connection and she met

invitation for connection and she met

invitation for connection and she met him there and their relationship began

him there and their relationship began

him there and their relationship began to improve and they were able to

to improve and they were able to

to improve and they were able to recognize when when they were seen okay

recognize when when they were seen okay

recognize when when they were seen okay and and so because you can’t do this

and and so because you can’t do this

and and so because you can’t do this activity

activity

activity without honoring that you’ve been seeing

without honoring that you’ve been seeing

without honoring that you’ve been seeing whether you consciously do it or not

whether you consciously do it or not

whether you consciously do it or not perhaps the most touching one for me I

perhaps the most touching one for me I

perhaps the most touching one for me I worked with the group of students and he

worked with the group of students and he

worked with the group of students and he one of the students very it was gang

one of the students very it was gang

one of the students very it was gang gang a really tough exterior right and

gang a really tough exterior right and

gang a really tough exterior right and his whole positioning was I don’t care I

his whole positioning was I don’t care I

his whole positioning was I don’t care I don’t give out anything or anybody right

don’t give out anything or anybody right

don’t give out anything or anybody right and so we did this activity when I did

and so we did this activity when I did

and so we did this activity when I did it all the kids in the in the middle

it all the kids in the in the middle

it all the kids in the in the middle school they had talked about in

school they had talked about in

school they had talked about in elementary school experience but over

elementary school experience but over

elementary school experience but over the problems they were having were in

the problems they were having were in

the problems they were having were in middle school said let’s go back in our

middle school said let’s go back in our

middle school said let’s go back in our memory let’s try to let’s do this

memory let’s try to let’s do this

memory let’s try to let’s do this through middle school experience and he

through middle school experience and he

through middle school experience and he was like no at that forget it

was like no at that forget it

was like no at that forget it there’s nobody nobody I don’t trust them

there’s nobody nobody I don’t trust them

there’s nobody nobody I don’t trust them I’m not doing it and I said what come on

I’m not doing it and I said what come on

I’m not doing it and I said what come on in two years you’ve been there no one’s

in two years you’ve been there no one’s

in two years you’ve been there no one’s shown you a moment kind of give me one

shown you a moment kind of give me one

shown you a moment kind of give me one just go in briefly and if it doesn’t

just go in briefly and if it doesn’t

just go in briefly and if it doesn’t work out we’ll come right back out and

work out we’ll come right back out and

work out we’ll come right back out and so before we could even finish the

so before we could even finish the

so before we could even finish the meditation he came out and he said I got

meditation he came out and he said I got

meditation he came out and he said I got it I got it he was like mr. Hagelin mr.

it I got it he was like mr. Hagelin mr.

it I got it he was like mr. Hagelin mr. Hagelin and he said mr. Hagman when the

Hagelin and he said mr. Hagman when the

Hagelin and he said mr. Hagman when the other teachers found out I was part of

other teachers found out I was part of

other teachers found out I was part of the gang I felt that they treated me

the gang I felt that they treated me

the gang I felt that they treated me brutally but you didn’t you treated me

brutally but you didn’t you treated me

brutally but you didn’t you treated me with kindness and respect you probably

with kindness and respect you probably

with kindness and respect you probably didn’t know that when you said if you

didn’t know that when you said if you

didn’t know that when you said if you need anything you can come to me that I

need anything you can come to me that I

need anything you can come to me that I believed you you probably didn’t know

believed you you probably didn’t know

believed you you probably didn’t know that I believed you let me tell you

that I believed you let me tell you

that I believed you let me tell you about this student after this will you

about this student after this will you

about this student after this will you give him all stationery and colorful

give him all stationery and colorful

give him all stationery and colorful sharpies and I hand them the box of

sharpies and I hand them the box of

sharpies and I hand them the box of sharpies to pick from and they and they

sharpies to pick from and they and they

sharpies to pick from and they and they write this letter to their to their

write this letter to their to their

write this letter to their to their teacher to their or whoever it is they

teacher to their or whoever it is they

teacher to their or whoever it is they pick this student who doesn’t care about

pick this student who doesn’t care about

pick this student who doesn’t care about anything as he says right when I came

anything as he says right when I came

anything as he says right when I came around with the sharpies he said to

around with the sharpies he said to

around with the sharpies he said to himself I wonder what his favorite color

himself I wonder what his favorite color

himself I wonder what his favorite color is right that’s huge

is right that’s huge

is right that’s huge it’s a testimony to when they’re held in

it’s a testimony to when they’re held in

it’s a testimony to when they’re held in safety when they’re held in love when

safety when they’re held in love when

safety when they’re held in love when each of us is held in safety and in love

each of us is held in safety and in love

each of us is held in safety and in love we care so much down to the color of the

we care so much down to the color of the

we care so much down to the color of the pen that we’re writing to the person you

pen that we’re writing to the person you

pen that we’re writing to the person you know that’s going to receive it and what

know that’s going to receive it and what

know that’s going to receive it and what their favorite color might be a top of

their favorite color might be a top of

their favorite color might be a top of my students about sharing their power

my students about sharing their power

my students about sharing their power about keeping their power we don’t talk

about keeping their power we don’t talk

about keeping their power we don’t talk about behavior in our room we talk about

about behavior in our room we talk about

about behavior in our room we talk about how we use our energy do we use our

how we use our energy do we use our

how we use our energy do we use our energy so in ways that serve us or

energy so in ways that serve us or

energy so in ways that serve us or anyone in ways that don’t service I

anyone in ways that don’t service I

anyone in ways that don’t service I don’t decide that for them they’re the

don’t decide that for them they’re the

don’t decide that for them they’re the ones that decide it and then we explore

ones that decide it and then we explore

ones that decide it and then we explore from there if we want to continue to

from there if we want to continue to

from there if we want to continue to create that experience or if

create that experience or if

create that experience or if an experience we want to change for

an experience we want to change for

an experience we want to change for ourselves and then we explore the ways

ourselves and then we explore the ways

ourselves and then we explore the ways to do that I encourage them keep your

to do that I encourage them keep your

to do that I encourage them keep your power share it share it but don’t give

power share it share it but don’t give

power share it share it but don’t give it away and watch for opportunities when

it away and watch for opportunities when

it away and watch for opportunities when you’re invited to I’m going to move

you’re invited to I’m going to move

you’re invited to I’m going to move through this to get us through right

through this to get us through right

through this to get us through right here one of my students haha ugly ah

here one of my students haha ugly ah

here one of my students haha ugly ah right here my power belongs to me right

right here my power belongs to me right

right here my power belongs to me right when touching her that day gifting what

when touching her that day gifting what

when touching her that day gifting what we needed what I encourage is for all of

we needed what I encourage is for all of

we needed what I encourage is for all of us through deep presence deep reflection

us through deep presence deep reflection

us through deep presence deep reflection to tune in and tune into our experience

to tune in and tune into our experience

to tune in and tune into our experience and gift and figure out what was it that

and gift and figure out what was it that

and gift and figure out what was it that we needed in a time that we felt safe

we needed in a time that we felt safe

we needed in a time that we felt safe and loved and supported what did we need

and loved and supported what did we need

and loved and supported what did we need and how it may be how may we begin to

and how it may be how may we begin to

and how it may be how may we begin to gift that to the people that were

gift that to the people that were

gift that to the people that were interacting with our students will

interacting with our students will

interacting with our students will benefit from that it will be healing for

benefit from that it will be healing for

benefit from that it will be healing for us I know from experience there was a

us I know from experience there was a

us I know from experience there was a teacher my in my life who at a time

teacher my in my life who at a time

teacher my in my life who at a time where I didn’t feel it was safe to be

where I didn’t feel it was safe to be

where I didn’t feel it was safe to be seen because when I was seen I was met

seen because when I was seen I was met

seen because when I was seen I was met with persecution I was spit on beaten in

with persecution I was spit on beaten in

with persecution I was spit on beaten in schools right in and it communicated to

schools right in and it communicated to

schools right in and it communicated to me it was not safe to be seen but there

me it was not safe to be seen but there

me it was not safe to be seen but there was one teacher who did something so

was one teacher who did something so

was one teacher who did something so simple all she did was ask me how are

simple all she did was ask me how are

simple all she did was ask me how are you but it wasn’t about her words it

you but it wasn’t about her words it

you but it wasn’t about her words it never is it was about the place from

never is it was about the place from

never is it was about the place from what she was operating is there the

what she was operating is there the

what she was operating is there the energy with which she was speaking to me

energy with which she was speaking to me

energy with which she was speaking to me I felt that right and even though I

I felt that right and even though I

I felt that right and even though I couldn’t receive it right then it stuck

couldn’t receive it right then it stuck

couldn’t receive it right then it stuck with me and what I interact with my

with me and what I interact with my

with me and what I interact with my students I make sure that I’m operating

students I make sure that I’m operating

students I make sure that I’m operating from that place that they will feel the

from that place that they will feel the

from that place that they will feel the energy with which I speak when I hear

energy with which I speak when I hear

energy with which I speak when I hear when I say to them you are precious and

when I say to them you are precious and

when I say to them you are precious and good

good

good I want that she felt deeply in them when

I want that she felt deeply in them when

I want that she felt deeply in them when I say to them like you’re safe with me

I say to them like you’re safe with me

I say to them like you’re safe with me it is safe to show up who and how you

it is safe to show up who and how you

it is safe to show up who and how you are right when I celebrate them I wanted

are right when I celebrate them I wanted

are right when I celebrate them I wanted that to be with the energy with that

that to be with the energy with that

that to be with the energy with that they can feel it’s a powerful way of

they can feel it’s a powerful way of

they can feel it’s a powerful way of being and it will have a positive impact

being and it will have a positive impact

being and it will have a positive impact on our students what might the effects

on our students what might the effects

on our students what might the effects of be I can tell you what they are what

of be I can tell you what they are what

of be I can tell you what they are what I’ve seen through data I’ve collected

I’ve seen through data I’ve collected

I’ve seen through data I’ve collected myself and in my classroom I’ve seen

myself and in my classroom I’ve seen

myself and in my classroom I’ve seen students improve their academic

students improve their academic

students improve their academic performance go from fourth grade not

performance go from fourth grade not

performance go from fourth grade not reading not knowing their letter sounds

reading not knowing their letter sounds

reading not knowing their letter sounds to sixth grade reading eighty-eight

to sixth grade reading eighty-eight

to sixth grade reading eighty-eight words for me that’s still below grade

words for me that’s still below grade

words for me that’s still below grade level but a huge jump from not knowing

level but a huge jump from not knowing

level but a huge jump from not knowing letter sounds at all I’ve seen improved

letter sounds at all I’ve seen improved

letter sounds at all I’ve seen improved student behavior to where they can go

student behavior to where they can go

student behavior to where they can go and return to their class

and return to their class

and return to their class shrooms improved attendance showing up

shrooms improved attendance showing up

shrooms improved attendance showing up more because they feel safer there and

more because they feel safer there and

more because they feel safer there and there’s a place for them to be increased

there’s a place for them to be increased

there’s a place for them to be increased time in their regular classrooms we have

time in their regular classrooms we have

time in their regular classrooms we have a behavior unit and and so increase

a behavior unit and and so increase

a behavior unit and and so increase times back there more meaningful

times back there more meaningful

times back there more meaningful relationships and their talents and

relationships and their talents and

relationships and their talents and gifts become more evident because it

gifts become more evident because it

gifts become more evident because it becomes a safe place for them to share

becomes a safe place for them to share

becomes a safe place for them to share them students showing up is what will

them students showing up is what will

them students showing up is what will happen showing up a ways that they

happen showing up a ways that they

happen showing up a ways that they didn’t know they could showing up in

didn’t know they could showing up in

didn’t know they could showing up in ways I didn’t know they could right

ways I didn’t know they could right

ways I didn’t know they could right what an exciting time that is to explore

what an exciting time that is to explore

what an exciting time that is to explore and expand and work together to create

and expand and work together to create

and expand and work together to create this possibility space of what is

this possibility space of what is

this possibility space of what is possible for me it’s a privilege we have

possible for me it’s a privilege we have

possible for me it’s a privilege we have as teachers and that’s a privilege I

as teachers and that’s a privilege I

as teachers and that’s a privilege I take very seriously navigating our own

take very seriously navigating our own

take very seriously navigating our own powerful journeys however you are

powerful journeys however you are

powerful journeys however you are reimagined learning and whatever city do

reimagined learning and whatever city do

reimagined learning and whatever city do I hope that we can be conscious of the

I hope that we can be conscious of the

I hope that we can be conscious of the memories we make with others through

memories we make with others through

memories we make with others through mindfulness and mindfulness

mindfulness and mindfulness

mindfulness and mindfulness there was a call for deep reflection and

there was a call for deep reflection and

there was a call for deep reflection and a call for presence and to tune into our

a call for presence and to tune into our

a call for presence and to tune into our own inner resources our students need

own inner resources our students need

own inner resources our students need that we need it that was my intention

that we need it that was my intention

that we need it that was my intention for us may we restore connection and

for us may we restore connection and

for us may we restore connection and remain connected to our wholeness

remain connected to our wholeness

remain connected to our wholeness through restorative practices instead of

through restorative practices instead of

through restorative practices instead of punishment may we get rid of that whole

punishment may we get rid of that whole

punishment may we get rid of that whole idea and let me Baili begin to work with

idea and let me Baili begin to work with

idea and let me Baili begin to work with restore restorative practices to repair

restore restorative practices to repair

restore restorative practices to repair relationships not only with anyone who

relationships not only with anyone who

relationships not only with anyone who may be hurt but with ourselves restore

may be hurt but with ourselves restore

may be hurt but with ourselves restore that connection to our wholeness and may

that connection to our wholeness and may

that connection to our wholeness and may our greatest measure of success ever be

our greatest measure of success ever be

our greatest measure of success ever be the amount of compassion that we’re able

the amount of compassion that we’re able

the amount of compassion that we’re able to offer ourselves and to others in any

to offer ourselves and to others in any

to offer ourselves and to others in any given moment

given moment

given moment those are my wishes for us today and I

those are my wishes for us today and I

those are my wishes for us today and I appreciate oh and one more that you

appreciate oh and one more that you

appreciate oh and one more that you always follow the credits all right

always follow the credits all right

always follow the credits all right thanks so much appreciate it

thanks so much appreciate it

thanks so much appreciate it you