This re-post is a letter to teachers. It’s the foundation of connecting with children, and teaching, and making a difference.
Frankly, it is a life lesson. It’s all about how we see things – our outlook and attitude.
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
P.S. Life-101 is find your joy, live your joy.
A Teacher's Reflections 
Beautiful post 🌹🌹
Thank you.
Welcome dear friend 🌹🌹
Passion begets passion, and joy! Lovely post Jennie!
Yes, it does. Thank you, FR!
I LOVE this! When I was about halfway through, my college Shakespeare prof, Dr. Micheal Andrews, popped into my head. He took such joy and delight from Shakespeake and teaching Shakespeare that I took two courses with him instead of the required one.
I’m so glad, Liz! Thank you for sharing your professor story. Joy makes a difference. 😍
You’re welcome! Thank you for listening, Jennie. 🥰
Always a pleasure! 😍
It’s so rewarding when interest turns to learning and joy! Well done you. xx Joy Lennick
Yes, it is! Thank you, Joy.
A beautiful letter filled with wisdom. You simply reached into yourself to share passion. Well done …. and cheers to the other teachers you influence. Have a wonderful school year!
PS: Off topic – This is something that many blog owners don’t know happens on their blogs – but encounter it when commenting on others. After readers submit their comment, a “Subscription” popup box appears. This is something WP added (and annoys many). I recently learned how to remove it.
If you want to disable it, go to your Dashboard, then Settings > Newletter …. In the first box, turn off “Enable subscription pop-up for commenters” …. then Save.
When I go to ‘settings’ I cannot find ‘newsletter’. I’ll keep looking…
Is it under Settings on the left?
No. I might have to ask the HP guys. Was this something annoying that popped up when you made a comment on my post?
The popup box … well i find it annoying. Others may not
Ah! I never get a popup box. Of course that is annoying.
That’s so nice to say, Frank. Thank you!
Thank you for your lovely comment, Frank!
such a perfect and spot on post, Jennie. the magic sauce. ❤
Thank you, Beth. It really is! ❤️
As we see more and more people retreat into their electronic device and shut out the real world, I embrace all that yo have written here…”kids of all ages” respond to interaction with others – laughter and joy are usually the result…thanks for reminding me of that!
Thank you, John. You said it beautifully. Hear, hear.
I count myself as being blessed by the opportunity to see that joy in person, Jennie. It’s not teaching, it’s helping the children learn.
Aww…that’s so nice, Dan. Thank you! 😍 And yes, it’s a big leap beyond teaching.
That is some beautiful advice, Jennie.
Thank you, Don.
“It’s the happiness that you bring because it inspires and ignites the mind and the heart of children.” Love this Jennie. Great advice on teaching and life.
Thank you, Brian!
Lovely and beautiful post Jennie 😊😊
Thank you, Kamal. 🙂
Always welcome Jennie 😊😊
This should be included in every teacher-training course and guidance manual. It comes from your heart, and I can feel that through my computer screen.
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes, it should be. I’m glad you could feel my heart, Pete. If only all teachers taught from the heart. Best to you!
It’s no mystery why so many former students return to the Aqua Room. Children and their parents know when someone makes them (the children) feel loved, valued, and has created a safe and fun learning environment.
Children absolutely know who likes/loves them. Their honesty is an open book. Parents do, too. It is so simple, once you have the heart. Thank you for your kind words, Pete.
I remember a phrase one of your students named their artwork: Sunshine in a Cup. This has stuck with me (obviously) and now it can be used as a definition!!! Joy: Sunshine in my Cup.
Your featured image triggered this comment along with your deep insights into teacher/student encounters as teaching moments.
hugs
My goodness, I’d forgotten that artwork title. I love how it becomes a definition for joy! Perfect. Thank you for your beautiful words, Laura.
Great Jennie. I think I’ve said many times, I wish you had been my teacher in kindergarten.
Thank you, John. That’s so nice of you to say! 🥰
Heartfelt.
❤️
❤️
Oh YES!
😀
Yes 🙌
😍
Hi Jennie, this is a lovely post. Fostering a love of reading and learning by example is important. I would add that making life learning a goal rather than the achievement of a specific credential or position is vital. A lot of people become professionals and once that goal is attained the drive to learn is lost so they don’t continue to grow and stagnate.
Well said, Robbie. You are spot on! Thank you so much.
You are very special Jennie.
That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you, Cindy. 🥰
Beautiful and necessary! Joy is the key ingredient in many an endeavor.
Amen! Thank you!
Thank you!
You are welcome.
Hi Jennie,
Thank you so much for this wonderful letter!
I’m glad you liked it, Charles!
Jennie, your letter is still wonderful. Thank you for posting it again. I love the PS! And I will try. ❤ Hugs.
Thanks so much, Teagan! Hugs! ❤️
loved it! ✨
I’m so glad! Thank you.
Sage advice, Jeannie. But no surprise there.
Thank you, Mitch!
A beautiful and inspirational letter, Jennie! Your joy in life, in everything you do, is palpable – your students are so lucky with you as their teacher. That they keep returning many years later is a testament to this. Wise words which we would do well to carry throughout our lives. Many thanks for sharing with us here, Jennie!
Annika, thank you for your very kind words! I’m so glad you understand. Like you, I really feel these are wise words throughout our lives. Students returning has not slowed down. Stayed tuned.
Jennie, what a most beautiful post. I wish all teachers could read this. ❤
Awww… thank you, Debby. 🥰
A beautiful letter, Jennie. And you’re right that joy is the secret ingredient. I have no doubt that you’re en-joy-ing your classroom. ❤
Thank you, Diana. It really is a secret ingredient. Love ‘en-joy-ing’. 😍
Wonderfully inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you.
this is really beautiful and full of joy.
Thank you!
thanks much for visiting my site. I love anything to do with books & would be thrilled if you’d write a guest blog post for my site, which is for anyone who enjoys writing, or books, and all the arts. If you think it might be fun or helpful to have my followers (who total about 10k across my various social media) meet you, here’s the link for general guidelines:
Thank you. I’ll keep your kind invitation in mind when I have time.
Thank you. Whenever you’re ready or if you have questions please email me at contactdaal@gmail.com
🙂
Very inspiring thoughts. Absolutely agree that the passion and love of an educator to her subject and curiosity to explore will definitely inspire students. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Well said, Freeda. Thank you.