Water lilies play a vital role in the equilibrium of a wetland’s ecosystem. Their shade keeps the water temperature down in the summer and prevents algae from taking over. Their shadows and stems give shelter and protection to the fish that live there, and they keep the water clear and clean-looking. Teachers are like water lilies in the ecosystem of society. We support an environment where the inhabitants can grow, and provide nurturance, protection, cleanliness and clarity there. And we do it out of love for children, and for some also a passion for creating a world we want our children to inherit. In a healthy wetland ecosystem, water lilies also receive all of the nutrients from the water and soil that they need to thrive. In an equilibrius context teachers would symbiotically be nourished by their ecosystem, too. In a podcast recently, Iheoma Iruka, author of We Are the Change We Seek, said, teachers are being asked to subsidize early childhood education due to low pay. This is disequilibrium and we know you feel that. The system of early education and care was not designed with symbiosis in mind.
That being said – We’re tired of hearing that there aren’t enough teachers! There are actually plenty of teachers. The problem is that there aren’t enough teachers who can afford to teach. (Take a deep breath in if you’re feeling that – in for 1…2…3…4…and a slow breath out for 1…2…3…4)
So, where do we go from here?
When we recognize disequilibrium in the classroom it’s usually a good thing – it’s a sign that the child’s curiosity has been provoked; a phenomenon that requires a new schema because it doesn’t fit in with the schemas they’ve already constructed. What if we take this moment of crisis in our field as provocation – as disequilibrium – asking for a new schema? What would it take to bring teachers back…or forward? What should our ecosystem look like? Sound like? Feel like? And what will it take to get us there? We innovate best when our needs have been met. How will you care for your body and brain today, in a big or small way?
And…We want to let you know about a Tiny Humans, Big Emotions deal today and tomorrow only! Barnes & Noble Rewards and Premium Members get 25% off all pre-orders from September 6 through 8! Premium Members get an additional 10% off! Pre-order your copy of TINY HUMANS, BIG EMOTIONS now! Enter “PREORDER25” at checkout. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tiny-humans-big-emotions-alyssa-gloria-campbell/1142950354?ean=9780063306264
Finally, here are the Sacred, Episode 4 Campfire Chat info & journal prompts:
Have a listen to Episode 4 at any of these locations: Youtube (this ep. will be uploaded here soon!), Apple, Spotify, Website
Want to excavate something you heard in Episode 4? We created some Episode 4 Journal Prompts for you. Contemplate the ones that call you:
- How are you feeling right now? What’s coming up for you in this moment?
- What’s your definition of a “good teacher”?
- How is your relationship with your own knowledge of child development and curriculum? Does it give you a source of pride? Discomfort? Something else?
- How has life outside of teaching impacted your development as a teacher?
- What happens in your body/nervous system when you consider making a demand? If you could make three demands with the power of a union backing you up what would they be?
Fall transitions and an October book launch are calling our energy away from Campfire Chats. Instead of monthly chats, we’ll host one Campfire Chat in December, at the end of season 1 to excavate anything that came up for you during episodes 4-7. For ongoing conversation join our Sacred Conversations Group on FB and/or follow us on Instagram.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
With love and gratitude,
Lauren & Angela Carolina
Equilibrium: a state of balance between opposing forces or actions that is either static (as in a body acted on by forces whose resultant is zero) or dynamic (as in a reversible chemical reaction when the rates of reaction in both directions are equal). Water Lilies & equilibrium: Besides being pleasing to the eye, water lilies do a great deal to maintain the well-being of the ponds they inhabit.