The Vowel House

05/03/2019

After working with teachers and post-secondary instructors on hard questions the last few weeks I am struck by the dedication of some folks. These are the people who insist on figuring out patterns, figuring out causes, reflecting on biases, being willing to be frustrated and willing to grow, and doing all that with patience, knowing that there may not be an answer soon, and that sometimes endurance is all you have.

Teaching never stops. Never. You never get to throw your hands up and give up on people. You can reject problems and hate difficulties and stomp your foot that problems are intractable and hateful, but you never get to say that about students. Your job as a teacher is to always know that there can be more and that there will be more. It is knowing there is a backstory and that you have a lens that may not let you see the backstory and when you can't know the backstory or understory or around story you still keep going and you still keep working.

Just because you can't see the reasons doesn't mean that students do not deserve your relentless dedication to taking the next steps.

To the gifted teachers, instructors, and practitioners that I know, who are never not moving forward, thank you. May you have opportunities to see what it means to the student who emerges from the tunnel into a warm shaft of light.

02/20/2019

Googling yourself has become a rite of passage.

01/30/2019

From my experience in working with students recovering from mental health crises, experts are required for medication and a deep dive into the psyche.

As a peer, teacher, tutor, learning strategist, or friend, not only can you can do so much but you can be the daily/weekly pleasantness and inclusive warm sweater that we all need.

Here is my list of ways to do just that:
1. Smile and welcome
2. Wait patiently and listen
3. Sit beside and maybe have tea or coffee
4. Say "That's so sh*tty and I'm so sorry"
5. Say, "I'm here and will always be here."
6. Say, "You're not alone and if you feel alone, please come and talk to me and I will smile with you and sit with you and maybe have tea or coffee."
7. Be not afraid to laugh and joke
8. Find treats to share (see #3 for two ideas)
9. Be not afraid to say "Hey, wanna go find some more help together?"

10. Mean it.

01/23/2019

Attunement. Not punishment. Try.

12/22/2018

One of the best goals for 2019. Let’s put down our phones.

When it comes to children’s development, parents should worry less about kids’ screen time—and more about their own.

07/22/2018

Not your average tongue twister! Sure, you can click but can you voice those clicks?!

Xhosa lesson by Nelson Sebezela, guide for Calabash Tours in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, interviewed by Patrick Leighton. Filmed and edited by Silvio March...