Filling the Sunday Cup

What do you do on Sundays to fill your cup?

It is essential for us to intentionally take some time and effort to fill our cups on Sunday allowing us to have all that we need to begin the week at our best on Monday.

We give so much during the week of ourselves, of our family, of our time and energy, of our soul.  It stands to reason that by Sunday, we are drained.  We are lucky if there is much more than a drip on the bottom of our cup by Friday night.  For many of us, Saturday is simply a time to catch up on errands, sleep, or a quick outing.  In my family, this means groceries and household goods must be obtained to survive another week,

My Sundays begin, where and while I write this...that is with a wonderful group of people who work together, laugh together, cry together, reflect together, and write together.  This is the beginning of the filling of my cup.  Yes, lots of coffee is involved.

Other endeavors might include a little therapeutic shopping, a walk, some frivolous TV watching, cooking and eating...

How do we know when our cup is full?  When we might be tired, we are truly ready for the week.  We are ready to meet the week with enthusiasm and energy.  The more we can practice true self care, the more we will be ready to meet the week with vigor and love.

For me, I need just a little more.  I need some quiet time and some time to meditate to clear my head and to visualize the most positive week that I can possibly have.  I review my calendar and prepare myself emotionally for what I am up against.

What do you do to fill your cup on Sundays?

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#MIndfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Renewed energy and focus

I am having one of those days where I feel like re-inventing myself with renewed energy and focus.

When I get like this, I am aware that I do a few things, or at least think about a few things.

1.  I want to become a minimalist.  I want to cleanse myself of stuff.  I also want to cleanse myself of various commitments and responsibilities to free myself for what I want to do and who I want to be.

2.  I want to surround myself with ONLY people and things that lend themselves towards my goals, so as to keep my focus straight and on course.

3.  Instead of getting involved in many things that I can only give so much attention, I want to dive deeply into the things that matter.  This requires limiting the things that matter so I can focus my energy and attention on them to the fullest.

4.  I become more aware of my health when I feel like this.  I want to work towards a healthy and moderate lifestyle.

5.  I want to read more and become even more reflective of my presence in my own life.

I have looked back at various journals, etc. and I have found that this time of year lends itself to these feelings that I woke up with today.  I am not sure if it is the time of the year as a teacher, or the imminent changing of the seasons, or some type of seasonal-emotional response.  Regardless, I appreciate that I get to this place as in the scope of the rest of my life it gives me balance as it offers me an opportunity to reset.

I would not be able to notice or pay attention to these changes, minor or major, if I was not reflective and mindfully aware of where I am with life.  There are many advantages to sitting back and looking at your life from the outside-in and inside-out.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Riding their wave

My students were overwhelmed today.  They had just taken a high stakes test this week and I could tell that their heads were still swimming in the abyss as they were seemingly brain dead today.

There are so many tests.  My poor students sometimes have 4-6 of these types of tests in a week.  It is rough.  It would be rough for anyone...including the teachers.  But...we have no say in when or even that these tests are given. They are all district directed and tied to progress towards PARCC testing.

It is times like these that I make sure to take care of my students.  I make an intentional effort and choice to lighten the load, lighten the intensity of the lessons, and have some fun injected into the class time.

Also...it is Friday.  For some reason, Fridays of short weeks tends to be crazy days for my kids.  Always has been.  And since this was a four day week with Columbus Day...today lived up to its reputation for sure.

As time goes by, I am realizing more and more, the importance of taking care of my kids and allowing them the self-care that they ask for...directly or indirectly.  They spoke.  I listened.

Although today was an exhausting day, it was a good day.  It was a day to prepare for the weekend before we hit the grind hard again on Monday.

As I noted to a parent last night at a school event, I ride the waves of my students instead of making them all ride my wave.  I follow their needs.  Sometimes, that means taking a break.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Night at the Museum

Once a year we have what we call Night at the Museum at our school.  

The social studies department has students come up with ways of reflecting
on their learning in some manner in which they can display.  As we have just finished
learning about the Gilded Age, noting immigration and child labor, I asked my students
to compare the life of teens in the year 1900 to their own lives today, in 2018.

I love having my students see themselves in their world and reflecting upon what life
might have been like for them if they were born at a different time.  It creates an
emotional response of appreciation for what they have and empathy for those
that have so much less. In 8th grade, they are at the age

that they can begin to decide to do something about injustices in their world.

Parents come in and are also taken to an emotional place as they recognize that their
children are capable of this level of empathy while learning about people like
them at different times, in different places.

Then, the best part of all...the parents of my students and I get to brag about the
thinking and work of their kids while we partner in setting goals and expectations
for the rest of the year.

And...Parent-teacher-conferences are coming in a few weeks. That is the next time
to celebrate the wonderful young people that I get to partner with in learning.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy

@LevineWrites

I care, and that's okay.

"Mr. Levine, why do you care so much about your students?"

I was taken by surprise when one of my 7th grade honors students asked me this question this morning.

"I am not quite sure what you are asking."

"Well, every day, you go out of your way to say hi to all of your students.  You don't favor one student or the other.  You really seem genuine in your responses when students ask you stuff.  You act like a real person."

"How should I act?"

"I am not complaining.  I am just not sure why you are like you are when so many other teachers are just here to teach us.  You seem like you are here to care for us and teach us the way that you do because you care for us."

"I do care about you, all of you.  How am I teaching you like I care about you?"

"You always make sure that we understand what we are learning.  You also ask us how we want to learn things and make sure that it feels right to us.  Are teachers supposed to do that?"

"I am not sure if teachers are supposed to do that.  It is who I am.  Did you want me to change?"

"No.  No, please don't change.  Maybe you can ask other teachers to be like that?"

"I am sure each of your teachers have their way of teaching you and caring about you...otherwise, I am guessing that they would be doing something else."

As I walked away, I have to admit that I felt proud.  I am the teacher and person that I want to be.  I am proud to be the teacher who teaches through caring about each student.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Karma

Networking is such an amazing exercise.  You never know what might come out of it.  I was at a literacy conference last week and had many chances to meet up with so many new and old friends.  I got to see two of my favorite people at a local University.  After some conversation, and mutual respect and appreciation...I was told of a teaching opportunity that fits me perfectly.

Today, as promised, all of the information that I needed was waiting for me in my inbox and I am in process of getting them what they need to start right away.

Knowing people is wonderful.  Keeping connections alive and nurturing them is incredible.  You never know what waits for you around the corner.  There might just be someone with a great and exciting opportunity waiting for you where you least expect it.

Making friends in the field of your passion is always a great idea.  Having friends that look out for you and are there for you is a bonus.

I have found that I am as much a giver as I am a receiver in this light.

I have helped countless people get into the right situation and to help bring them to opportunities for most of my life.  Yes, I believe in Karma.  This is not why I do things.  This is not why I am kind or giving.  But positive Karma is a wonderful benefit of giving of yourself naturally and genuinely throughout your life.


Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Returning to school

I have been away from my students for a number of days due to being out at a conference.  This is s struggle for me in a couple of ways.

I feel out of sync with my kids and need to have that reconnection.

I am not completely sure where they left off on things so I am not sure where we will begin.

I strive on routine and momentum, and every time I am gone, there is a new start to the momentum.

My personal momentum is out of sorts due to the schedules of the conference and the days off after.

So...

Fortunately, or unfortunately, I am used to regaining this momentum and reconnecting with my students.  I missed many days last year due to an injury which taught me a lot about flexibility and resiliency. 

Setting routines and having strong connections with students allow for these types of absences from my students.  They know what I expect without me being there because expectations are consistent from day one.  My students as I have a mutual respect system in place which allows me to take care of them when needed, and them to take care of me when I am needing it.

With the use of Google Classroom as an assignment platform as well as a communication source, I can be anywhere I can get internet and be a part of my students' experiences in my classroom.  Conversely, if my students are absent for a day, a week, or a month...I have the wonderful luxury of keeping in touch with them and making sure that they are not overwhelmed by missing things in my class.

Having the routines, connections, respect, and the tools, I am able to go to conferences like I did this last week, and know that my students were well taken care of, and they will help me to catch up with THEM tomorrow when we all return to hit the ground running again and doing the great work that we do daily.

I am lucky.  I am well aware of this.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites