Create a community from the heart

Life is designed for connection. It's in our blood, its human nature. After the 2 years of lock downs, fear to go near even your loved ones at times, it's time to create communities again.

We lacked a major connection for longer periods of time than we ever have. And the effects are starting to show. Students are allowed 5 mental health days. They are not engaging with peers like they used to, there is still a lot of fear within the classrooms.

I have been focused a good amount on the community of my classroom, but still putting the lessons and tests before my students.

Which is fine, as long as I am operating from my heart. But when I get into my head and start over-analyzing the lessons and goals for 8th graders in pre algebra, the community starts to shift into a less positive space. You can feel it.

Recently I really prioritized approaching each interaction and situation from my heart. And that felt like peace, love and joy.

All of these emotions are usually viewed as the goal, but once you say that you feel this way, people usually have a kick back on you. Which is okay. Just remember to stay there.

Anyways, when I operate from these more positive, good vibrational states, my connection with my students improves, they become more receptive to communicating with me and their peers, and they drop some of their guards and fears they had prior.

They have started collaborating more, working together on their practice problems. They are problem solving, and using each other as a resource where as before I felt I was their crutch.

Students know way more than we want to believe. When I approach them from a place of love: I create space from them to be grow and learn.