Heartnote for Teachers

Teachers, are there moments in your day that you stop to pause? 

Do you look into your classroom observing the children who sit before you?

 Does each child have a different look? 

These are some of the questions I have posed to myself over the 25 years of teaching reading, 10 years of being a districtwide administrator, and 8 years of consulting with districts as a teacher of teachers, and adjunct teaching at the local college. 

In your classrooms, you see the sparkling eyes of imaginers who look out beyond yours. You notice the knowledge-seekers who sit erect and weary-eyed children whose heads droop due to lack of sleep. Some of your students are troubled; they try to mask their inner, revolving feelings. Most children listen intently, some fade out fast, and others hold on tightly to bits of information you provide. 

Precious treasures surround you. Eagerly, you help each student process and create as you bring joy and delight to each day. You are a welcomer of knowledge. I lover of mindful interactions and an encourager who leads students to interact peacefully with each other. You mastermind these moments that bring students together and foster interesting pathways to learning.  

I send a heartnote of gratitude to each facilitator of learning. 

This was supposed to be Day 5's Slice of Life but time passed quickly.

Oops, the magic deadline hour dinged as I was almost at the end of the post.

Two Writing Teachers.

Day 6

2024

Carol Varsalona, 10-year Slicer

Tucked Inside

While winter settles in,

I recall 

summer nights-

anniversary celebrations,

mountainside.

One small photo

opens the drawer

to tucked in memories.

©CVarsalona, 2018

It is amazing how the mind triggers memories when noticing objects. While looking closely at the above photograph a series of past experiences appeared and thoughts formed. 

Thank you Two Writing Teachers for creating space for Tuesday's Slice of Life. Of course, excuse me for posting at 12:51 on Wednesday morning. This is what happens when I get lost in writing. 

The image poem above is part of the *ekphrastic poetry writing I am drafting for Laura Shovan's 6th Annual February Daily Poem Project. The 2018 theme is Ekphrastic-At home. Members of the writing community take turns posting an art piece they own while others write in response to that photographic prompt.  

*An ekphrastic poem is  a vivid description of a scene or, more commonly, a work of art. Through the imaginative act of narrating and reflecting on the "action" of a painting or sculpture, the poet may amplify and expand its meaning. - The Poetry Foundation