Have you ever read about mindfulness? It’s about being in the moment, present, not thinking about what just happened or what you need to hurry up and get to next. By being in the moment, we are able to focus better and have a richer experience where we are. I’ll share with you some mindfulness ideas for teachers and that parents can use too.
Sometimes I find myself not “in the moment” when teaching. I may be stressing that we still have so much ground to cover before the end of the school year, and we’re just not going to make it. The students aren’t mastering concepts as quickly as I had thought or hoped. I have a whole bunch of content I need to get to in too little time. So I find myself in a “hurry up and get there” mode.
When this happens, I begin to feel my enjoyment of teaching go down as well as my effectiveness because I am not focused and at peace. So, this past year, I decided to try to be mindful while teaching to see if it would help. And it did!
My Mindfulness Ideas for You!
These are some of the mindfulness ideas I used to help me be mindful. Maybe they will help you too:
Be where you are.
At the beginning of class, do not think about what you have not accomplished yet. Do not think about what you still need to get to. Just do this lesson, right here, right now. This brings a sense of focus and peace.
Be flexible.
Take extra time if needed for concepts they need extra work on. If you run out of time to do something or cover other material, let it go. Trust that you will fit it in later.
It’s ok to bypass a planned activity.
If you choose to do a different activity that you see is really helping the students learn, just go with it.
Trust that tomorrow will take care of itself.
Based on what you do today, you can always modify what you do tomorrow. Some days the students will master things quickly and other days not. Adjust accordingly.
Trust that you will get there.
Just like when you’re pedaling a bike up a big hill, keep your head down, stay focused on pedaling, and eventually you will reach the top.
Enjoy this time with your students.
While doing the lesson, just get into it. Be there with them. When you enjoy your time together and are peaceful and relaxed, they will be too. Your attitude and energy can inspire and encourage them.
Don’t judge your teaching.
If you see that your students are learning, it doesn’t matter if someone else does things a different way or is getting through material faster. Your way is not less than theirs. It’s just different. Bottom line, it’s just about the students learning.
Some material may not get mastered as much as you’d hoped.
Sometimes the end of the school year comes, and there are some concepts you didn’t have as much time to work on as planned. As a result, the students are only familiar with them. Well, that is going to have to be good enough because it is better that they have solid ability and knowledge in most of the material rather than mediocre mastery of it all.
Mindfulness Enriches Your Experience
On the days when I was able to be mindful, what a great time I had with my students! We all enjoyed even the simplest of activities because the energy in the room was so positive and the learning was so interactive. I also found that mindfulness helped on days when I was tired or not feeling the best. Just being in the moment helped me to peacefully be where I was and teach well. Even with lower energy, mindfulness allows you to be where you are in a sincere and helpful way.
Give it a try sometime. Some days you’ll get it, and other days not. But, that’s ok. It takes ongoing practice. And, when you are truly mindful, you will most likely enjoy where you are more.
Debbie
PS – If you’re looking for a curriculum to use for your classes or home, check out Spanish for You! All the work is done for you so you can enjoy teaching in the moment with your students!