This past week I attended a meeting at St. Mary’s University. I serve as a Practicum Advisor, observing students as they perfect their teaching skills out in the field. The meeting was a ‘Return to Campus’ meeting for the students and faculty. Part of the agenda for this day includes a time for the Advisors to offer a tidbit of advice; another part is an opportunity for the students to ask questions.
Over the past months, the students have repeatedly heard that their actions, behaviours, and words are watched very carefully by their students. They ar e reminded of the impact that they can have on these young minds.
As various students shared some of their ‘moments’ from the past weeks, we heard stories of success and some of, as they put it, “Complete FAIL”. Several student teachers commented that they did not feel as if they had measured up in some way to the standard they had set for them self in their mind. I recalled having this feeling as a young teacher – I remember not wanting to say anything that could hurt a student.
After listening to the students, it was time for the advisors to offer advice. One of the Advisors said the following to the students, “Let’s think about how important you are to your students. You are really, really important. What you say does matter. HOWEVER, you are not important enough to cause all of their good and bad behaviours. Nor are you important enough to cause all of their good and bad feelings. Nor are you important enough to be responsible for all of their joys and sorrows.”
What a message! I loved that the student teachers were given the gift of these words. It made me realize that we would all do well to heed this advice in our everyday lives.
Even in the context of Christmas, I thought about how this applies. We often we beat ourselves up because we have not found the ideal gift, made the perfect meal, been the perfect friend, hosted the perfect evening, baked the perfect treats, or planned the perfect days. We somehow assume that out of all of the people in our lives, it is our sole responsibility to make sure everything is just so. And when something does go wrong, we are quick to remind ourselves over and over about what we could or should have done differently.
For the next few weeks, I am going to remind myself of my great importance! :) I will remind myself that I am really, really important. I will also remind myself that I am not so important that I am responsible for every good or bad thing that happens this season. What I am responsible for is to bring my best self (not my best baking or my cleanest house) to the holiday season.
And when I attend an event I will remember some sage words that my Dad told us when we were kids. He said that if we were invited to go to someone’s house or to a party, and if the hosts provided a space, and some food and other people, then it was up to us to provide our own good time. Our good time was not to be the responsibility of anyone else.
Heading into this next week, I plan to remind myself daily of my importance. May you too, notice exactly how important you are and practice living accordingly. During this season, I believe that there is something very important to be celebrated. Something like Peace on Earth. Or maybe the little baby who was born in a manger.
Learn how to manage your own ‘importance’. Contact me today to learn more about how we can work together to facilitate the change you want.
Over the past months, the students have repeatedly heard that their actions, behaviours, and words are watched very carefully by their students. They ar e reminded of the impact that they can have on these young minds.
As various students shared some of their ‘moments’ from the past weeks, we heard stories of success and some of, as they put it, “Complete FAIL”. Several student teachers commented that they did not feel as if they had measured up in some way to the standard they had set for them self in their mind. I recalled having this feeling as a young teacher – I remember not wanting to say anything that could hurt a student.
After listening to the students, it was time for the advisors to offer advice. One of the Advisors said the following to the students, “Let’s think about how important you are to your students. You are really, really important. What you say does matter. HOWEVER, you are not important enough to cause all of their good and bad behaviours. Nor are you important enough to cause all of their good and bad feelings. Nor are you important enough to be responsible for all of their joys and sorrows.”
What a message! I loved that the student teachers were given the gift of these words. It made me realize that we would all do well to heed this advice in our everyday lives.
Even in the context of Christmas, I thought about how this applies. We often we beat ourselves up because we have not found the ideal gift, made the perfect meal, been the perfect friend, hosted the perfect evening, baked the perfect treats, or planned the perfect days. We somehow assume that out of all of the people in our lives, it is our sole responsibility to make sure everything is just so. And when something does go wrong, we are quick to remind ourselves over and over about what we could or should have done differently.
For the next few weeks, I am going to remind myself of my great importance! :) I will remind myself that I am really, really important. I will also remind myself that I am not so important that I am responsible for every good or bad thing that happens this season. What I am responsible for is to bring my best self (not my best baking or my cleanest house) to the holiday season.
And when I attend an event I will remember some sage words that my Dad told us when we were kids. He said that if we were invited to go to someone’s house or to a party, and if the hosts provided a space, and some food and other people, then it was up to us to provide our own good time. Our good time was not to be the responsibility of anyone else.
Heading into this next week, I plan to remind myself daily of my importance. May you too, notice exactly how important you are and practice living accordingly. During this season, I believe that there is something very important to be celebrated. Something like Peace on Earth. Or maybe the little baby who was born in a manger.
Learn how to manage your own ‘importance’. Contact me today to learn more about how we can work together to facilitate the change you want.
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