“Good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher….” Parker Palmer
Take heart, dear teacher! You are not alone. As Parker Palmer says, “We become teachers for reasons of the heart… But many of us lose heart as time goes by. How can we take heart, alone and together, so we can give heart to our students and our world, which is what good teachers do?” Yes, a life in education can be disheartening with its competing demands, expectations, and never-ending challenges. But, it is possible to maintain an upbeat attitude and reclaim the joy that comes from serving students well. This retreat is designed to help you restore this joy by providing the chance to slow down, relax and reconnect with the most vital part of yourself within a supportive community of peers.
It takes courage to teach. The root for the word “courage” comes from the Latin word for “heart.” The Courage to Teach® approach to teacher development is centered on providing a welcoming, safe and confidential space for you to explore the matters of your heart, to listen to the wisdom of your own inner teacher and to be encouraged to follow the guidance received. You will be introduced to principles and practices that guide Courage & Renewal® work and explore how these intersect with your life in and outside of the classroom. We will use poetry, images, objects, visual journaling and gentle movement exercises as prompts for reflection and discussion in both large and small groups. You will have time for private meditation, relaxation and reflection, too.
Techniques and strategies employed in schools and classrooms may vary, but this principle is constant: “We teach who we are,” (Parker Palmer). Reconnecting with yourself and listening to the voice of your inner teacher will help you set a trustworthy course for yourself personally and professionally.
This retreat will provide you with the opportunity to:
- Revitalize yourself and your passion and purpose for teaching
- Explore your identity and integrity by identifying values, gifts and limits
- Enhance your listening and relationship skills
- Bolster your well-being and reserves of resilience for times of challenge
- Deepen your capacity to be fully present for yourself and others
- Connect you with the wisdom of your inner teacher
Participate in a Clearness Committee, a community discernment process unique to this work with roots in Quaker practice.
The Center for Courage & Renewal and its facilitators do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.
