Thank God for the Teachers of Our Children

Connected Educator Edblognz Challenge Week 1 Challenge 3 Write a blog post about your favourite movie/song/piece of art including how it relates to your life as an educator.

One of my favourite "teacher" pieces of music is In The Garden- Terry Kelly. I've used it with a couple of different staff over the year. (And maybe I should not admit to this but i first became aware of this piece of music through an episode of Dawsons Creek!)

At TKAS we do an induction week on a different marae each year before the students start school. And at the end of that induction timeI give staff something as an inspiration for the year. One year it was a framed poem relating to something of importance for the year. Or a set of quotes for the year etc. 

In 2013 I gave everyone a small houseplant to care for, for the year. The plant was a metaphor for growing our learners. And we listened to this piece of music. We reflected on our progress at the end of each term by bringing our plant in to share its growth and listening to this music again.

Think of all the people in your life that have left impressions on you

The ones who never let you down and those who were there each time you lost you way

All through your lifetime do remember the ones who really cared

Coz they were always there in the garden, where the flowers grow in the garden

The future will unfold

Thank god for the rivers and mountains and the valleys down below

Thank god for the teachers of our children so the garden can grow

Without a firm and guiding hand a tender sprout is lost among the weeds

Until your roots were firm and strong in the garden

Where the precious flowers grow in the garden

Where a better future will unfold

Thank god for the rivers and mountains and the valleys down below

Thank god for the teachers of our children so the garden can grow

It was a great challenge for the year. 
This what we learnt about our plants:

• That they all grow at different rates and speeds- as do our learners

• That they all need different things fed to them and to be cared for in different ways in order to grow- as do our learners

• That we need to think about our mindsets- whether we are growing plants or people 

• That we can utilise the power and magic of technology to help support our plants....and our learners 

• That although it is sad when people move on and gaps are left, others will step in and up to provide the care and support needed for those left behind- whether its plants or groups of young people 

• That is order to care for other things, we need to look after ourselves and our nearest and dearest first- we need to be healthy in body and mind to nurture and support others

You can read the whole post here.