Cared For

As a teacher, we are often led to fear or dislike administrators. Some people even become administrators so they can be powerfully feared. Some administrators have an US and THEM kind of mentality, or they foster this type of mentality on their staff.

This has never really been the case in my teaching career.  I, in fact, made a deal with myself a long time ago that if I did not get along with the admin, I would find another place to teach.  This has never come up...thankfully.

Today, at school, was a messy day.  Due to the incident, I cannot go into details, but this was a rough day for many kids.  They made a choice that turned our building upside down.  This incident effected the entire building for a couple of hours.

We were to have a partial day with the kids, and then go off to other buildings for professional development.  Right after the students left the building, our administrators called a meeting.  We had a wonderful debriefing session where staff was truly heard.  We felt cared for.

As the session ended, we expected to be sent off to our trainings.  Instead, our wonderful principal took care of us and let us continue to debrief and take care of US after such a stressful day.

Administrators are leaders.  They can be care-takers of staff as well.  I feel safe and cared for.  I feel like I matter.  I am certainly not alone in these feelings  Also, these feelings trickle down to the care that we give to our students.  It matters.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Skipping the Punishment

Today was an interesting day. I wish it was good interesting, but it was one of those days that I hurt inside as a teacher.

I found out that one of my best students was helping another student in one of my other classes cheat on a test.  This is one of my least favorite things to deal with.  I have a difficult time as a teacher with lying and cheating.  Dishonestly truly hurts my soul.

In our district, the general punishment is a Dean's referral for both parties, usually ending in a suspension.

These are both wonderful students...honors students.

I started out by asking if they realized what they were doing was considered cheating- one was feeding another test questions for a test this week.  They are in different classes.

To my surprise, they clearly didn't see this as truly cheating until I explained the situation to each of them.  THEN...they realized the dishonesty...and cried.

Based on who they are and as well, their reaction to the idea that this was cheating...they were clueless that this was wrong.

As I watched them sink into their sobbing, I could not help but comfort them.  There was no way I was going to write them up, or lead them to the standard consequences.  I know this will not happen again with these two.  What they went through was more than enough.

We do NOT need to rush towards punishment with our students.  Often, there are much better ways of handling things to turn an incident like this into a learning and growing experience. I like this much better than the punishment.

Now...to make sure that I was not taken advantage of.  I know I won't.  I just want to make sure that anyone who reads this realizes that I am not THAT big of a pushover.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Change is Scary

Change can be scary.

Every year, the teachers in our building not-so patiently await the meeting where we discuss how many kids our building we will have. We talk about if we need more or less staff.  We talk about district changes, schedules, expectations, and the list goes on.

Today, we were introduced to a massive change in scheduling that will effect the way that we teach- we are going from a Middle School with 44-minute classes all day to a middle school with block scheduling.  We have been asking for this for at least 10-years.

So there was celebration. Well...no.  There was curiosity.  Very very quiet curiosity. No excitement. Just people wondering what it all means to them.

This is wonderful for our students, without a doubt!

This is truly wonderful for staff.

It is the change that created the stupor over our staff this afternoon.  Everyone turned into Zombies.

I am sure there will be talk tomorrow. Questions, rumors, and concerns.

The reality is, teachers take their ownership of their work and their control over what they do very seriously.  They all just need to let it sink in and feel what it means to them...to get that sense of control of the situation back.

As far as I am concerned. Change is scary, but without change- we get stale. We get complacent.  We DO NOT grow.

The WIN?  It will be best for kids.  That is really what matters most.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Students' Community

My wife, also a teacher, and I decided a long time to live in the community in which we teach. Many teacher friends of our chose not to do this...which is okay.  It really is a personal preference.  Some people would rather their teacher lives and personal lives to be separate.

What are the advantages to living in the community that we teach?

We support the community that our kids live in.

We enjoy seeing our kids around town.

We get to run into past students from many years ago and check in with them.

We know the true world of our students.


We also have many past students that have friended us on Social Media.  Again, this allows us to stay in touch with past students.  We are proud of who they are and we get inspired by their life's journeys.

Today, we stopped in a local restaurant to pick up some food and we saw several past students.  They were of different ages and very different circles when they were in Middle School, but they found each other and have become close. They all called over to us to come talk.

I love when past and present students want to share their life journey with me in the real world. It fills my cup and allows me to see a true impact that I have as a teacher.  It inspires me to continue teaching and reaching students. The human connection is such a wonderful positive consequence of being a teacher and living in the students' world.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Always On

Being a teacher comes with many challenges and obstacles. As a teacher, you have to play so many roles to so many people, but mostly...your students.

One things that non-teachers might not recognize is that teachers have to be "on" at all times.  Where ever the teacher is standing or sitting, they are constantly on a stage. Every minute of each of the 180ish days a year that they teach, all eyes are on us!  Our administrators stop by, our superintendent stops by, parents stop by, our peers stop by- we are continually under a microscope.

Most importantly, we are always being watched by our students.  Our words, our body language, our energy, our mood, our teaching- we are always "on."

Some of us get nervous by it.  Some of us stop concerning ourselves with it.  Some of us feed off of it.  In fact, it inspires us.  We are aware of ourselves and the impact that we are having on our students so much, that we want to build energy to get energy.

What I mean by this is-

If my kids are in a stupor, I charge myself to wake them up and energize them.  When they are energized, the engagement is electric.  It inspires me!  It gives me the energy to keep going.  It is up to me.

Be aware of yourself.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

The Back Story

As I noted yesterday, Parent-Teacher conferences were yesterday and today.  I really enjoy connecting with parent. Sometimes, as in the case of today...you get to hear the back story of a student and it causes you to change your entire appreciation and perspective of the kid.

I have a student that, for 7th grade, acts a bit immature and plays with toys during class.  This often gets in the way of learning for the student in my class and in fact, all other classes.  This student talks to peers, is often inattentive,  and is fine with barely passing.  There is limited motivation for school at best.

Today, I met with the student and parent.  It was interesting and eye opening.  I learned of the family norms, the family expectations of the student, their priorities, and some pretty awful things that has happened to the family through the years.

Hmmm.  Is the behavior of this student a response to what is going on at home.  Is it now clear that the student doesn't prioritize school due to things in their life that they cannot control.  ...yes.

I often do not like knowing much about my students before they become mine.  I really do not want to take the impressions of others and let it stand in the way of me getting to know my students without judgement.  But...sometimes, when I find things out, it really make the connection that I can create with students, often difficult students, more valuable.

I now know how I can support this student.

Better late than never?

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

What I Get

So...tonight is Parent-Teacher conferences.

I may be weird, but I really enjoy these conferences.  I was really happy when we went to two each year.

Why?

I get to know the backstory of some of my kids.

I get to brag about my best kids.

I get to problem solve with parents of struggling students.

I get to make students proud in front of their parents.

I get to share what incredible work we do in class.

I get to share our data with more than my PLC.

Sure, it is tiring to work a 13 hour day and then wake up early to meet with parents again...but I am one of the weird ones that gets inspired to keep doing the good work from these meetings.

I hope these types of meetings create similar experiences for my teacher friends!

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

What If?

I have always played with the "What-ifs" in life as if to try things on in my mind.  As a history teacher, I like to look at the what-ifs of history...

What if there was never a war?

What if everyone born was still alive?

...And of science...

What if you you never die?

What if you could program your brain?

Recently in a meeting at school, we were asked the following what-if question-

"What if all of your students performed at their best and their best was at a high level...all of the time?"

WOW!

Right?

Would it be amazing?

Would it be boring?

I think that I would love it at first. I would enjoy pushing and challenging students to think beyond their minds' comprehension.

But... I live for the challenge.  I think that I would miss the challenge of helping a student through the muck of learning.  That is part of why I became a teacher. I want to do the hard stuff.  I want to be challenged to help those that struggle to see and be their potential.

Sure, I get tired. I get frustrated. But...I never signed up for easy.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Emotional Learning

I have known for forever that students love to learn with emotions- especially middle school kids.  Give them a subject that they can feel for and they are all over it.  The want to read about it, watch videos about it, write about it…and most of all, talk about it.

Some subjects that I teach that really grab the attention of my students include:

Slavery

The Holocaust

Civil Rights

Children Workers

Immigration into Elis Island

Students love the human story.  They are so easily hooked. So far, I have yet to see a classroom full of students get tired of learning, reading, writing, and talking about these emotionally charged ideas.

As I begin to approach the teaching of the Holocaust, you can actually sense student emotions becoming peaked.  Students start asking questions. Students rush to do their own research. Students hurriedly tell their peers about what they have found, looking for an emotional reaction. 

I love that I have this and get to be part of it.  When the students are this invested in learning, I certainly feed off of the energy. But- I want to be able to have this type of excitement to learn in my students ALL of the time.

I realize that if it were all this exciting to them, they would lose steam and interest.

But- I can dream!

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy

@LevineWrites

Teaching defined...

I woke up this morning with a question in my head.

What is teaching?


We have so many definitions, I am sure.

Transfer of information

Demonstration of a skill

Guided work toward practice

Assigning tasks towards mastery

Planned out pathways of discovery


As I immerse myself in daily professional development through seminar, books, Twitter Chats, and the sort- I really see all kids of definitions of teaching being expressed.

In my reflections,  I am believing that my definition is what I am seeking through all of the PD.

What does teaching mean to me?  If I truly get there, then I will be able to fully create a manner in which to teach that I believe in.

Learning, however, is just as complex.  Perhaps a pondering for another day?


Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Minfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Reaching the Lost

"I am tired of learning.  Just leave me alone."

This statement threw me for a loop. 

This is a girl that has been struggling in school for years.  She is in 7th grade and probably stopped learning when she was in third grade.  She is one of those students that has been quietly sitting in the corner. She is not a behavior issue.  She has no specific label of learning difficulties.  She has been allowed to stay lost.

Recently, she has had a family issue which has given her more reason to seperate herself from school work.  She has learned to use it as an excuse.  She has been seen by counselors in efforts to try to support her, but she pushes everyone away.

In class, she struggles to get anything done.  She is defiant.  She throws her tests into the garbage.  She refuses to read.  She talks during mini-lessons.

How do I reach a student that does not want to be reasched?

How do I teach a student that doesn't want to be taught?

I can't just give up on her.  I won't just give up on her.  She has given up on herself. She is lost.

It is interesting that I can reach 170 kids...but not this one.

I will not give up!  This is part of being a teacher. It hurts.  As teachers, we want to succeed with every student.  We are not programmed to let go and simply say, "oh well."

For me...I will continue to show compassion and understanding while trying my best to reach her...somehow.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Think Work

I recently participated in a Twitter Chat where the idea of homework was brought up.  It has always been my philosophy that homework should be given when and where practice is needed.  In essence, in math and in reading.  By practicing using newly added math thinking there is grasp and growth.  We know, or at least we should acknowledge, that the only way to become a better reader and writer is to read more. Reading should become habit through regular practice- both for enjoyment and specific purpose.

Again, my philosophy.

As a social studies teacher, I learned a long time ago...that only a small handful of students will actually do the reading when assigned, thus the use of the reading assignment was never of value.

With the growth in use of 1:1 devices...our district has Chrome Books, I am finding more valuable purposes for homework.  The thing is, I hate calling something new by an old name when and where it will carry an ugly connotation.  Thus, Think-work was born.

So far, I have found that having my students watch brief video clips in conjunction with brief reads, it prepares my students for richer discussion the following day.  This also leads us nicely to the in-class reading and work that we do daily. (Including any Inquiry)

The Think-work can take as little as 15 minutes which I feel is enough, when done well, to make things worth while.  It is not busy work. It is not a worksheet.  It is not done so I can add more grades.  It is not done to promote compliance.  It is real work.

Those that do not do the Think-work, quickly find themselves behind and lacking the background knowledge for the class.  The consequences are therefore- Natural!

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Class Personality

As I have been teaching for a long time, it never ceases to amaze me how different middle school classes can be.  I teach 4- 7th grade social studies classes and 2- 8th grade social studies classes.  Even though each class is at a little bit different level, the difference in class personality is incredible!  Yes, Class Personality.

Every class has its own personality which is made up of much more than the sum of individuals.  The mix of students make for an interesting "monster."

Today, I delivered basically the same lesson to both 8th grade classes keeping in mind the things that get them engaged.  One class took this very interesting concept explored in class and made it seem like I asked them to stare at grey paint.  The other class was so into the said concept, that I could not stop them.  The conversation and curiosity could have lasted eight hours.

As much as I see this happen on a regular basis, I am still blown away by the differences and challenges they pose.

I guess, if this challenge didn't exist, planning for the perfect engagement might be boring. Teaching keeps you on your toes. One must be flexible in places that they didn't know existed.

But all in all, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Life

After recent events, I am left with many feelings and emotions.  Most of all, I am left feeling like I am happy, thankful for the life I have.  I am thankful that I get to be a teacher and I am charged with keeping my students safe. I have a wonderful life, and wonderful wife, and a wonderful home.

I am lucky.

I appreciate each moment and enjoy what is in front of me right now.

I am not putting blinders on, simply appreciating life as it is.

As much as I would like to be part of the solution, I am not in a position to take care of more than what is in front of me.

I can caught up in the arguments, or I can celebrate life.

I choose to celebrate life. My life.



Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Middle School Love

So...today was Valentine's Day. In Middle School.  It is quite a social experiment and observance of human growth and development.

Regardless if the students are in 6th grade, 7th grade, or 8th grade...there is a massive range in which each student celebrates the day.

I see 6th grade boys giving 6th grade girls big Teddy Bears and hugging.  I see 8th grade boys or girls giving friends lollipops.

There is no true linear sense of development. Some 6th graders are ready for dating...apparently. Some 8th graders are not yet ready to be interested in the opposite sex.

But for all...friendship and caring for each other creeped through the halls like a pink fog with hearts.

Middle School maturity is amazing.  Only in Middle School.

I would not teach any other grade level.

And tomorrow...it will be business as usual as if today didn't exist. That of course if with the exception of the 79 boys that asked girls to go out with them today and we turned down.  Tomorrow might feel a little bit different.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Living your students' culture

Today, at the end of class, my 8th graders were talking about a movie that will be coming out soon.  I jumped in and started saying how much I was looking forward to that movie.  My kids, stopped and one said, "you are just like one of us.  You know what music we listen to, what electronics we like, what brand clothes we like... You are like a big 8th grader."

I really am.  And...that's perfectly fine.  In fact, I would not want it any other way!

Teachers, good teachers, naturally assimilate to our students' culture.  I have seen it in all levels of school- elementary, middle, and high school.  We immerse ourselves into the worlds of our students. We know what is important in their worlds and lives.  We know the little things like fashion, music, movies, and whatever our kids like at the moment.  I am positive this is a geographic thing as well. I am sure that based on where we live, we can recognize the nuances that make our kids...our kids.

As I take a step back and realize that I have been assimilating to the world of middle school kids for the past 20 plus years, I have to laugh. Who knew that this was a side effect of being a teacher?  A good teacher!

We hear all of the time about the essential part of learning is the relationship a student has with their teacher.  It stands to reason that the more immersed in our students' culture, the more ready we are for these relationships.

If acting like a 13 year old will help my kids learn...I am ALL in!

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#MIndfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Middle School Kids

Today, as I sat back and looked at my 8th grade honors students, students that I was lucky enough to have now- two years in a row, I realized how much things change for students.

I met these students right out of 6th grade. They were small, unconfident, scared.  They were innocent and curious.  They were starved to learn while wanting to please their teachers.

Through the time I have known them a lot has changed.

They have almost too much confidence.

They are worldly of a world I may not understand.

Their innocence has been lost to a degree.

They are the center of their own attention.

They want to please their peers.

Why?

They are trying on being an adult.  They are finding out who they are in this world.  They are creating their own identities.

They are not purposefully moving on as in a decision has been made.  They are following their nature and growing, maturing, and becoming who they were meant to become.

We have to accept this to teach middle school. This is true, I am sure, in all grade levels...but, in my humble opinion, middle school shines a beacon on these types of changes.

I am glad that I get to teach middle school.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Intentional Reflections

I hope this does not come off as a rant, as I love the people that I work with and know that they all truly have the best interest of the students at hear...

But...

As February oozes on, like thawing sludge after a long frozen winter, I am seeing some of my peers lose their patience with students.  I want to rescue them both- my peers because this is not like them and they obviously are under pressure or some sort to be resorting to this. And... the students because they are not really doing anything different and for the most part, are being blind-sided by the behaviors of the staff members.

We are in this together.  We have all dealt with the Februarys and the Aprils.  We have even endured the Novembers....which thankfully are all behind us now.

It takes some reflection.  We really need to take a step back and look at what we are doing.  Our voices can be less patient than usual. Our reactions can be more hair-triggered than in October.  We don't mean to be mean.  We are human. And so are our students.

Consideration:

Be intentional about your actions and reactions for a week.  Stop and reflect through an empathetic lens. Slow down and be in the moment.  Often times we are really unaware that we are acting or responding differently.

Sometimes, our responses cause our students to act out.  If we are not careful, we can be the reason for their misbehavior and even consequences.  This is NOT who we want to be.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Positive Possibilities

When I look at my students, I often try to envision their future. I look at the positive possibilities that await my students as they work their ways through Middle School. Even the trouble students that are not able to give their best have positive possibilities. Ages 12-14, they are innocent. They have dreams. They have hopes and aspirations.

My students also have obstacles. Often, their own families have or are going through issues that present obstacles to my students.

Homeless
Jobless
Single Parents
Drugs
Incarceration
Parents working multiple jobs
Students taking care of siblings
Alcholism
Abuse
This list goes on...


If they are going through such a mess in life, how can they succeed without support?

I believe it is up to us...to me... to their teachers and school staff. We are the behind the scenes care takers of our students.  We need to be positive about their futures to give them hope and promise. What students DO NOT need are teachers or school staff belittling these students and complaining to them.

One of the worst things that I have ever heard a teacher say to a student is, "You will never amount to anything."  I have even heard educators tell students that "their best hope is to end up in jail."

Our students need us. Well too often, we are the only positive people and our schools the only positive space for these kids.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Testing the Times

So... Last night the Chicago Tribune did a story about Illinois getting rid of the PARCC testing.

I am not sure how I feel about this. I have several reflective responses.

1. I am really tired of things like this being replaced with hurry and lack of long-term thinking. Replacing the PARCC just to replace it make no sense to me.

2. Does it need to be replaced?  Or can we look at what really matters in the lives of our students...their real needs. Can we assess growth in a more authentic way?

3. I happen to seen value in Common Core on the ELA side and the PARCC test in ELA actually is a pretty accurate show of ability in the standards that are important for being a successful student.  Note: I make no claims about the Math portion of Common Core or the PARCC which seem to have had issues from the start.

4. If PARCC is replaced, it will be done at the state level. Illinois has no money, and thus, no people working at the Board of Education to rebuilt and replace.

5. Do I want the test be be built by educators and not a corporation for profit?  Of course. But I want teachers that actually know how to make a test that truly measures what it sets out to measure.  I have seen and used way too many tests made by educators...even those that I have a ton of respect for, that were not good by any means.

So...what is the answer?

I don't know. I hope it is not a rushed answer. I hope it reflects a change in thinking in education. I hope it's something that we can appreciate for a long time and isn't just the scent of the day.

I don't often rant, but when I do...it is out of passion, not judgement.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Happy Snow Day?

Snow days are interesting.  They are like an expected gift to those that get one. They are hoped for, even if they are a long-shot. There are some areas in the North that sometimes get as many as 20 snow days a year.  In the Chicago area...maybe 1-3 per year and some years- None.

At about 4:18 pm today, my phones rang, my text messages went wild, and I got an email. No School tomorrow due to inclement weather.

I suspected we would have a snow day. I am maybe way into weather.  All day, the students were quiet, almost as if they might jinx the possibility of the snow day. Maybe they thought they might make the Snow Gods angry and they would keep the snow day from the begging children.

Do I want a snow day?

I was asked that a few times.

Here's the deal.

Snow days have to be made up...at the END of the year.  It pushes back 8th grade graduation and end of the year activities. I like getting out of school before Memorial Day.

Snow days interrupt learning. And...it just so happens that some major learning was going on in my class today. (Not that this is different from every other day I exist)

I don't know.  Am I willing to give up my snow day?  No.  Actually...I will be writing all day. With a great new coffee I just got. With some wonderful SPA music from Sirius XM.   I have a few things due tomorrow night that are not quite ready.

So... I will take it as just one of those things that happened TO me. Out of my control. Make the best of it. It's a Snow Day.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Need for SEL

I have taught many sections of honors 7th and 8th grade social studies through the years.  Honors classes are interesting.  In my world, they mean one of a few different things.

1. The student is clearly gifted.

2. The student gives 110% all of the time.

3. The student has high expectations from home and is struggling to keep up.

Often times, the reason that a student is in category 3 is die to a parent that has contacted the school system early on in the student's schooling and has pushed for their student to be included.

This time of year, I notice the pressures of my 8th grade honors students.  They are hearing more about high school. They are registering for high school.  They are taking high stakes tests for high school. It is clearly the season of a major transition.

With this transition, there is a new type of stress for all three categories of students.

Category 1 students, the gifted, are setting new and longer lasting goals that may have serious consequences for their lives and futures.

Category 2 students, the overachievers, are realizing that some of their methods may not work in high school and they may be too under water to keep up.

Category 3 students, those who may have been placed in honors for reasons other than their abilities, are either no longer placed in honors classes proceeding forward, or are realizing that they stand to let their parents down not living up to expectations.

All this to say...

The issue of stress is not well addressed in our school system during major transitions. Students come to me and many of my colleagues with a barrage of questions and concerns. Some break down and are in tears with fear. Some are physically showing their fear.

Can we please start recognizing the weight that our students carry as real and serious...especially at these times? The need for SEL is real and not just an "add-on."

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

What's Next?

I have been in charge of our Building's Washington, D.C. trip for over 14 years. This will be my last year...my 15th year.  As I get up in age and more involved in other things, I have decided to turn over the reigns to someone more- Um, young.

There are a few things that I am giving up for various reasons. In doing so, it causes me to reflect on who I was at the start of my teaching career.  I had just left the psych field.  I was still "young."  I had energy and enthusiasm.  I was idealistic, but realistic.  I wanted to save the world and do it all...lead the masses.

I am older now.  There is a newer crop of educators that can and will do more than I can every consider.  I did my part.  I have 5-more years to push myself and do more.

What next?

No- I am NOT done.

Then it is off to full time writing, presenting, and thinking!

I may be older, but I am not old. I am not finished.  It is simply time to start using all that I learned along the way.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Human Teachers

I had a student
come up to me in tears today.  He told me that his father has an addiction and he no longer loves his father.  He followed that up with, "In fact, I no longer have a father as far as I am concerned."

This student has not lived with his father for many years from what I hear.  I guess today was just the day that he felt he needed to proclaim...to someone...that he is done. He has had enough.

I have always been fond of this student.  He is a little socially awkward.  He is fun though.  But today- today, he became a bit more special. My heart opened up and felt every word that he said.  He wasn't complaining.  He was making a statement. A Proclamation of fact.

It is so hard to help but want to rescue a student from life when he or she expresses such raw emotion. It is such a human response.  One of the biggest problems with being a teacher is that we are human.  We feel and we take home these weights on the lives of others.

I am so proud of this student.

My next step is to watch him. Make sure he is okay. Watch for signs of WHY he said what he did.

Teachers are so much more than the transfer vehicles of knowledge that the media often makes us out to be...


Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine


#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Measuring Time

People tend to measure time differently. Some measure time based on the age of their children. Some measure time based on accomplishment, such as graduating from school with various degrees. Some measure time looking ahead towards great things to look forward to or things that they rather not deal with.

Teaching is a strange way to measure time. Being a teacher, is much like being a perpetual student. You measure the time by the school year. You have a beginning, the rough middle and the sad, or exciting end.

You get to start over every year. New Students. New school supplies. New Ideas. New clothes. New haircut. New (even if you used them last year....they are new with the new school year) everything.

It is a promised fresh start. It is a renewal and rebirth.  You can push away a bad year with this new year. A new year is a clean slate. An exciting stack of possibilities!

The problem...

The years go by faster and faster as time goes on.
The time really flies by!
We promise ourselves time for US during the summer, but spend most of it on school work.
Each year, seems like it lasts 8 months.
Our breaks are spent doing things that we have put off, like going to the doctor.

We are one year older every time a school year has ended.

The solution...

Enjoy each moment.
Don't rush towards breaks.
Find ways to take care of you during the school year.
Try to find something beyond school as a secondary identity.

Measure time with Joy.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#MIndfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

A little Hope

After years of studying Buddhism, not as a religion, but as a life force, a way of life, a mindset... if there is one thing that I learned about HOPE is that there is no place in this mindset for this emotional stance.

Hope is a mindset of tomorrow.  The mindful, Zen way of thinking is to live in the moment, not tomorrow and certainly not yesterday.

Although I do subscribe to mindfulness, the here and now...only...I think that this is something that we can put on a shelf for a moment to look at what the future has to hold for us.

I do have hope. I have hope for others. I have hope for myself. I have hope for our world. I have hope for tomorrow.

I say...enjoy your hope.  Enjoy the daydreaming. Daydream about the wonder of tomorrow.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#MIndfulliteracy

@LevineWrites

Kids Really Care

I went to school today, still dragging from the flu.

It is incredible how students know that I am ill and they step up to take care of me.  They are quiet, more on task, ask peers to be quiet, and massively helpful.

I wonder where they learned this behavior?

Is empathy innate?

I really think it is.  More and more, I see my middle school students looking out for each other. They check in when things are not going well.  If someone drops something, peers jump in to help.  They really care. They want everyone to be okay.

Of course, once things are good, the bullying and what they call "roasting" continues.  But once you see the nice side of them, you can really tell that for the most part...the being mean is just another way that they express their caring for each other. Kids really care.

Yes, there are exceptions to this.  Real bullying happens.  But I am seeing less and less...in my little world, anyway.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

A Case of the Februarys

I have noticed the usual end of January banter around the hallways from my peers.  Staff is very much in a sad, depressed, and thick rut.  Am I there too?  I think so.

Today we (Chicago area) got word that we are in for a snowy week this coming week.

Does this help?

Some of my peers are hoping for a Snow Day.

I am NOT.

After many years of getting out of school in June, it has been nice getting out in May. Snow Days would put us back into June.

As I am writing this, and seeing the words built from emotions appear on the page, I am not liking what I am seeing. I do not want to fall prey to a bad case of the Februarys.  I want to be the sunshine in the blizzard.  I want to be the warm breeze in the frost.

It is all about mindset, isn't it.

Would we feel the Februarys if we taught in Florida?  In Texas?  I'm not sure.

The reality is, we teach in the Midwest.  For whatever reason, it is the choice that we made. And in the Midwest, we go through February just like everyone else.

So...

I will celebrate February. The dull ache of the grey month.  I will look beyond it will a smile and positive attitude.  I might still look forward to April though.

Be Mindful.

Peace.


Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites