montessori: special moments

i want to share with you guys something special that happened yesterday at our school. as most of you already know, i work at a montessori school. each year we host an evening for parents or other important grown-ups [grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc], to come to the school with the children so that they can show off and perform a work they are really proud of and confident in. i am sure other schools offer a similar event, such as an open house type experience. however, this event allows children to go into their own classroom, utilize the materials in order to show their family a work [or skill] they are most proud of.

us teachers are there, but mostly, if not entirely in the background. it is a night completely about the students. they come into the classroom, quietly, yet filled with excitement to show mom and dad around their space. they take a work to a table or get out a mat. most parents watch with anticipation. some students will complete the lesson in complete silence others will walk their parents through the work with verbal instructions of each step.

what is so amazing about this evening is that parents truly take it all in. they allow for their child to show them around their classroom, to prideful show off their environment and work. this night is not about correcting minor mistakes or suggesting to chose a more challenging work. it is about the time spent together. the engagement of adults with their child is enough to bring one to tears. it is moments frozen in time. parents can see independence, confidence, and leadership in their children no matter what works they choose off the shelf.
as a teacher who gets to witness all of these sweet moments, it melted my heart. it is reminder of why i am doing what i do. and why our families have chosen to be a part of our school community.

these precious moments are often hard to articulate if you don't understand it. if you are not a part of it. it is hard to even comprehend that a school family can be so united and feel like just that, family. when you and your children spend most of their day at school, shouldn't it be a community? shouldn't the people you share it with feel like family?

Montessori offered so much through her teaching, methods, and theory. the very least i can offer is an inspirational quote. i have worked with children since i was 17 years old. i cannot tell you a more amazing environment to work in. i know that i am a part of a pretty awesome school, it is due to the people that make up our school [staff and families], but also because of our very strong montessori philosophies. we create and live in this environment of grace, courtesy, respect and community.

these misty-eyed moments, tug at your heart moments...are what it's all about.

happiness.

xoxo,
ks

special moments

throughout life we often have "ah ha" moments. special moments. those moments that ignite you and remind you of your life's purpose.

yesterday i had one of those moments.

throughout the year our school has various performances, feasts, and school community programs. events that we do together as a school. ages three to twelve. it truly is endearing. yesterday was our thanksgiving celebration and feast. it was a day of fun, games, singing, and eating. there are so many things about this event that moves me. the children plan almost every aspect of the day, with little adult intervention. they plan the games and activities that included face painting, arts and crafts, jumping rope, a snack station (because we all know kids are always hungry!), four square...the list goes on. they also prepared the feast environment. they arranged and set the tables, made name cards and napkin holders and decorated our dining space. it was beautiful.

their independence is remarkable.

before we all came together to give thanks and shared our meal as a school, we spent time with our music teacher singing songs that the children have been practicing for several weeks. the excitement, joy and level of participation is immeasurable. to hear a room full of children singing their hearts out, together is such a sweet sound. to hear this group of children sing, to hear their desire to perform for each other and with each other is truly amazing. this moment was blissful, carefree, and jubilant. these moments are often difficult to describe. it's a moment that feels so perfect in a world of imperfection. it's a moment of "wow! i am a part of something that is breathtaking!". it's a moment of wonderment. moments like these are so meaningful through something so simple.
so, it is difficult to describe because these moments don't happen everyday. that is what makes them extraordinary. that is why they ignite your soul.

it is moments like these that are so special. that remind you of the "why". why you are doing what you are doing. what makes it all worth it. some days our impact feels so small, but on days like this, when we are a community doing great things together, it reminds me of my "why".

no matter how small or large the impact we make on others, it's important. and they remember. so make it worth your while. remember your why.

xoxo,
ks

life flies.

it's november.
holy shit.

this has been the fastest semester of my life. it was august like 5 minutes ago. and i'm not even kidding. i feel like it is going by so fast that i can't even enjoy a freaking minute of it. we live week-to-week. with all of our crazy plans. we barely scrape by just to begin another crazy-ass week. phew, i feel worn out just thinking about it. i mean it's tuesday. i work all day today. tomorrow will be a school day: school work and night class. thursday i work all day. friday i have to work a half-day, then i have a lunch date and wedding dress shopping! yay! then football saturday! arrrgghhh. and sometime in there i will have to find time to do more school work for next week. but when? who knows. i can only think so far in advance.

and that is just school and work stuff (plus a little bit of play). i didn't even touch on wedding and thesis stuff. those are two other big things that occupy my life. i am really surprised my head hasn't spun off yet.

here are my saving graces:

keith. seriously. he keeps me grounded. probably more than he realizes. but also he can tell when i am starting to unravel. and helps me to relax.

making ME time. everyday i try to save time for myself. exercising is usually my ME time. i enjoy it. plus i want to look super sexy on my wedding day. so, it's somewhat two-fold as to why i do it.

i have finally learned that i can't do everything all the time. i can only do what i can do. if it has to wait until tomorrow. well, then it will. the world will not end because it has to wait. if the laundry piles up, so what? if the house goes un-vacuumed for one more day, who cares? contrary to popular belief, i am not superwoman. i have to rest sometimes too. so the laundry, vacuuming and school work can wait.

my life is crazy. it always will be, as much as we try to fight it. so instead of fighting it, i think it's time we just embrace it and enjoy it. because most of the time we do!