Dear Teachers,
As you start your new school year there is one word that will get you through the uncertainty and the worry. It’s the same word that is the heart of educating. That word is ‘joy’. No, it’s not the happiness that children bring. It’s the happiness that you bring because it inspires and ignites the mind and the heart of children. Yes, that’s how it works.
Children come to you with big eyes, looking at you to teach them. They don’t know what to think. They want to learn, yet what they really want is to be inspired to learn. That is where you can make a difference.
What do you like? Because whatever it is, from math to music, that ‘like’ will become your best buddy, your guiding star, and the foundation to teach all the things that you like. It will also become a portal to help you teach the things you may not enjoy. If you know that every day you have some window of time to teach what you love, then you become an educator. You go beyond teaching curriculum; you teach the child.
Do you like reading? Does Because of Winn-Dixie or Charlotte’s Web make your heart jump? Well, carry that book around and read it aloud on the playground, in the lunchroom, or at the bus stop. If this is your passion, children will know, and they will listen. They will learn.
Do you like science? Carry a tuning fork, magnet, magnifying glass or flashlight in your pocket. Pick up interesting pieces of nature and explore them with children. This is one of the fundamental constants for learning. If you are grounded in nature and science, bring your curiosity and discovery to the classroom and the playground; then the world will open up for children.
Do you love music? Sing your favorite songs, sing the words to a book, sing poetry, or just sing the words that you say. If this is your passion children will know. They’ll listen and learn. Introduce children to the music you love. I bring my record player and old albums into the classroom. Some years they love Beethoven, other years the Beatles. The point is, they will love the music because you do.
Do you love art? Don’t be afraid to use real artist’s watercolors when introducing art. Children enjoy learning about famous pieces of art, too. If you treat a child like an artist and treat the work s/he creates like a masterpiece, the results are remarkable. When a child has created something and is incredibly proud, ask the child to give the art a title and record that to the work of art. This simple affirmation has done more for the confidence and character of children than most anything I have done.
You may only like one thing, but that alone will open the door to help you teach the rest.
We all know that the emotional and social pieces for children need to be ‘there’ before effective learning takes place. Well, flip-flop that fact from the child to the teacher. If you the teacher are not grounded in an emotional and social component of educating, then how in the world can you get your message across to children? You have to share your love and passions. That’s your joy. In that way, you are sharing you. And, all that children want to know is that you love them and love what you are teaching. If they know that, the floodgates will open to learning.
Maya Angelou was right when she said, “…people will never forget how you made them feel”. The children I have taught for decades often return to school to visit. They can’t put a finger on what it was in my classroom, but they come back. Joy is the magic word.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
I CAN put a finger on what was in your classroom: YOU, the BESTEST (not just the best) and most enthusiastic (which, now that I think about it, comes from JOY) storyteller.
Dear Jennie, what a beautiful, inspiring post. Thanks so much for sharing the link! Huge hugs. ⭐😍
I’m so glad you liked it, Teagan. When I write that book about my 40+ years of teaching, maybe this should be the opener.
This is wondrous. For teachers to be open in sharing their passion for a subject to the kids in the classroom. And, expanding from there, to be open about our joys to the people in our lives. With the lively conversations that can inspire 🌞
That’s so nice, Dave. Thank you! You can tell I have a passion for teaching. Joy makes all the difference. 😀
Hi Jennie, this is a delightful post. You are a very passionate teacher. I agree that everyone should actively seek joy in their work and life. It makes everything better and burdens easier to bear. In your specific circumstances, working with young children, your joy becomes their joy and also teaches the to find joy in life.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post, Robbie. Yes, I’m passionate about teaching. I wish everyone (especially teachers) could feel joy in their work, because it is infectious. Happiness breeds happiness. And at school, my joy becomes the children’s joy, and gives them an open door to find their own joy.
You are right and that applies to all work environments. The precedent for happiness in the workplace starts at the top.
Well said!
What a beautiful letter that goes right to the heart, Jennie! Joy is so incredible to share. And for all the teachers that I’ve had that have shared theirs – I’m so grateful!
Awww… thank you, Wynne! Joy is a powerhouse and meant to be shared. I wish all teachers felt and shared their joy. Thank goodness you had some of those teachers!
What a beautiful post, Jenny. And it can apply to so much more than just kids and teaching. We can all choose to find joy in the things we love to do, and even in the things we don’t. Thank you for lifting my spirits!
Thank you, Diana. I feel the same way; we can all find some joy in what we do, and that joy is infectious. I’m so glad I lifted your spirits!
I couldn’t agree more that “joy” is the magic word for teaching and learning. Learning should be a joyful experience, no matter what age the learner is.
Yes, indeed! You hit the nail on the head. Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Jennie.
Love the post, Jennie
I’m so glad, Don.
What a beautiful post and perspective on teaching. I hope you inspire many others to pour their passion and joy into teaching. Thank you Jennie.
Thank you. I work hard to do just that. You should see me at school. 🙂
I would hope more teachers could read this, Jennie. Your joy is contagious
Thank you so much, John. I want to stand on a school rooftop with a bullhorn and give teachers this message. It’s so simple, and it makes all the difference in the world. Like you, I hope more teachers read this. Contagious is a good thing. 🙂
Yes it is.
😀
Whew! You obviously wrote this post long before we met, Jennie, but I would have befriended you back in 2015 after reading it. You understand children so well! Like you, I’ve watched countless children find excitement in the model set by their parents. Unless I had some pressing matter, I ALWAYS tried to read with my students during silent reading or writing time. When children see adults adults modeling an activity, they are going to understand it must be valuable.
Hi Pete, this was a big ‘whew’, as I was so driven to tell this to teachers. I know you were especially passionate when it came to reading aloud. You are exactly right about adult modeling, be it a parent or a teacher.
A beautiful post Jennie written as only you can…I love the word Joy it can be applied to so many other walks of life if we all looked for Joy during our day the world would be such a better place 🙂
You are so right, Carol, as joy can make a difference in most any environment. That would certainly make the world a better place. Thank you for your kind words. 🥰
Pingback: Index of posts in the Joy project – Dave Williams
Thank you, Dave! This was such a wonderful project.