Holding Space & Giving Grace

I was asked today what advice I would give to my fellow teachers, who are working so hard through these challenging times. 
I said give yourselves space and grace. This is your first attempt in learning to teach without a classroom. You aren't going to get it right on the first try but that's okay. Give yourself grace.

​My district has had the remarkable foresight to consider the whole child as they move through school closures and making sense of home-bound learning. I suggest taking a cue from this approach and remember your "whole person." It can feel rewarding to have a distraction from the mundane of not leaving the house but if you need to not be effective or proficient for a time please know that we, your fellow educators, are holding space for you.

Holding space is about listening with your whole self. Being present and validating others. 
It's something I'm working hard to do as I hear from heartbroken educators who are worried about hungry children from South Dakota to Arizona and New York to Washington. I've heard from grieving educators whose communities are dealing with deaths from corona virus. I've also heard from friends in Florida who see moms and kids playing in the park, hugging and laughing as if in some parallel universe where social distancing isn't necessary. 

I'm holding space for myself as a whole person and considering the three whole children who I'm trying to simultaneously distract, entertain, guide, encourage, and comfort while I also gently remind them to keep working and be self-directed and curious. 

For me, holding space means more than listening. It's not until we are probably halfway through the school year that I tell my students that I love them in a way that means I care about them and their wellbeing. I'm being honest. Even though everything about education today demands that relationships come first, I find relationship building one on one to be a struggle. However, those relationships grow organically and now I'm holding space in my heart for all 113 students. I worry about them and I care about their feeling of worth and belonging each day.

Our first digital learning assignments were due today. Only about 20% didn't complete the work. I hold space for them in my heart and worry what might be keeping them from continuing to learn.

I hope grace is all they need, an attitude of amnesty towards work not completed. I'll hold space for them until I'm sure.

(art print by Dalia Shevin)