Hello Fellow Travellers,
Progress reports have gone home and we are moving through the school year. I hope you are well and are taking care of yourselves.
I’m Here Now
I used to do other jobs before, as a Grade 7-8 science teacher, then SERT in the Grade 6 to 8 years, then K-3 teacher etc. But I am here now. I do not have a classroom of my own is one way of looking at it. Another way, is to think that all classrooms into which I am invited are my teaching-learning spaces too.
I am here now. This is one such recent memory of being in the moment, teaching and learning.
One Monday Morning Recently
As with every stage of life when things change I remind myself that I’m here now so there’s more looking ahead with hope and anticipation than looking back with nostalgia. It was Monday morning and I was in a Grade 2 classroom at the farthest school on my list. I’d not been in this classroom before though I’ve met the students in Grade 1.
What Did You See Today?
On my drive, as I travel up from the southern end of the region, I see the land change and I see horses.
When I’d worked with them then, they’d asked me “where do you live?” And when I’d shown them the general area, some of them had asked, I remember “What did you see on your way up?”
Something Lost, Something Gained
I remember when my younger child learned to read I had felt as if a part of my life changed forever. So also, as I’ve missed this part of a classroom teacher’s job since 2020. In the early days I remember I used to look through picture books and think “oh that’ll be great to read aloud” and then I’d remember that I didn’t have my own classroom anymore. It took time to get used to the idea that it’s possible to belong nowhere yet be a part of everywhere.
The Book
The book I’d chosen was one I have liked as a reader as well as an educator. Friends and colleagues had read and recommended it to one another over the years. That said, I encourage all readers to consult your school board’s Text Selection and Guidelines.
We’ve Read This Book Before
The colleague who’d invited me and I had decided I’d bring a book to read, I’d introduce myself and I’d review her expectations chart… you know how the routine goes.
I did the first few things and as I took out the book the students said, “We’ve read this book before.”
So Let’s Think Differently ( I thought)
I always carry a few copies of copies of picture based prompts for exactly such a moment . I handed out the cards and began to read. I asked the students what they could see in the pictures as I read and what they could tell from their previous reading. They were eager and listened, then responded.
We read together, we noticed some things, we commented on some things, we made connections.
Then a student asked “do you have these cards for our class?” “Yes, I do”, I said and I left a spiral bound mini version with him.
Previous Connections
Although I recognize students from previous years I don’t crowd their space and place when I meet them again. But after giving the student these cards, as I was moving away, I was stopped with a soft tap on my wrist.
“I remember you”, the student said softly. You come from far away and you see horses on your way to our school ”
“Yes, I do”, I replied.
It appears that “All Are Welcome” wasn’t just the title of the book I’d chosen.
It was also my experience in this classroom. For such moments, I am deeply grateful.
I want to invite you to write back directly (if you know me outside this space) or through this space to share what you see that welcomes you into your teaching and learning spaces.
With You, In Solidarity
Rashmee Karnad-Jani
