BeRnArD YeO

Over the years, I have discovered life is a journey, a pilgrimage, a sacred adventure. Within everyone’s inner solitude, there is that bright and warm hearth where the spirit dwells waiting to be roused. There are many paths to enlightenment, their teachings rich and varied offering wisdom and “food for thought” and everything we need for our journey to awakening lies within us. In the beginning, spirituality appears like the bud on a bloom, opening gradually, tempting us with a glimpse of its splendor and unfathomable depths. It is here we create the blueprint of our collective existence.

Each of us from time to time experience crises from different life changing events and transitions, all unpredictable moments arriving and intruding into our “well groomed” lives. We didn’t ask for this interference and we wonder why it has arrived bringing with it havoc and confusion. BUT no matter what the source, each crisis has a common bond…a threshold. A holy summons inviting us to cross a threshold involving both a leaving behind and a stepping toward.

During these times of roadblocks, dead ends and detours, we often choose to ignore that inner calling. Transformation takes an enormous amount of trust in the voice that urges us to take note. We need to pay attention and ask ourselves what is it we are being summoned to learn? Has the time arrived to push past our comfort zone and begin the slow process of transformation? Are we ready to accept responsibility for our life choices and embark on this soulful journey? Many of us have learned to be afraid of the feelings inside of ourselves. We tend to bury or ignore them. Perhaps even run from them pretending they don’t exist. We cannot deceive ourselves! Until we claim and embrace these “unwanted” pieces of our shadow, they will continue to resurface, haunting us and making their presence known, one way or another.

The invitation to re-kindle our authentic self wears many disguises and often arrives in some of the most unexpected ways and always with a revelation. Life passages can mystify and overwhelm us, causing pain and grief. It is frightening to veer off the well-worn path, better known as our “comfort zone.” But if we are willing to take the time to acknowledge and reflect on each passage, they can bestow wisdom and knowledge expanding our vision of our authenticity.

Celebrating, mourning or wrestling with a life passage is an extraordinary act. Slow down and be in touch with your feelings. Be kind and loving to yourself. Act from your spirit and heart and don’t forget to breathe!

Any experienced teacher will know good discipline does not just happen all at once.Managing student behavior is a learned skill, but classroom control will begin before the students even enter the classroom.Managing student behavior is no easy task.Each teacher will develop his or her own form of discipline.Remember that students need to feel valued and welcomed.They need to know that you have an honest interest in each one of them, not only as a class, but also as individuals.For good discipline, certain behaviors are necessary on the part of the teacher:

• Be consistent; establish the rules and stick to them.
• Consequences should be fair and consistently applied.
• Be prepared for the students who will test the rules.
• Do not threaten students with a consequence unless you are ready to carry it out.Students will view you as inconsistent if you fail to do what you say.
• Do not be judgmental; look at each situation from all angles before you designate a consequence.
• Never put off discipline.Handle any behavioral problem when it occurs.
• Make sure students understand the rules and the consequences.Students need to know how to behave in any given situation.With some students, you may want to do role-playing at the beginning of the school year.In this way, students will see what is expected of them and see the consequences being applied.
• Show a true interest in all of the students.Each one needs to be treated as an individual and with respect, not just another student.When giving praise to any student, use his or her name with the praise.Nothing pleases students more than to hear their names used in a good light.
• Implement well-planned lessons.Know what you are going to teach and be well prepared.
• Allow for flexibility.There will be many interruptions in a school year; you will not accomplish everything that is planned on a particular day.