There’s one thing in particular that has been weighing me down…
It’s that I can’t speakSpanish…
Even after 6+ years in grade school taking the language and being part of a Spanish family, I still can’t speak it fluently. Most definitely not comfortably.
Here’s the thing…
My Mom Is From Chile In South America. My Dad, On The Other Hand, Is Canadian.
We never spoke the language at home while I was growing up. Except for a few key words like “hola” and “ciao”.
While all my cousins were busy picking up the language that was being spoken around them, I couldn’t put together a single sentence. I couldn’t even have a conversation with my grandparents…
This Past Fall, My Grandfather Suffered a Stroke.
He wasn’t able to recover.
Just before Christmas, he passed away…
My Grandpa – We called him Papi, my Mother and I as a baby!
I thought long and hard about how my entire life I never had a full conversation with him – not unless someone translated for us.
I wish the language had stuck. I wish I could’ve had a real conversation with him.
Because He Had One Heck Of A Story To Tell…
During the 1970’s, Chile was anything but a peaceful place.
The military overthrew the Popular Unity government of President Salvador Allende. This was the start of military rule in the country.
Many Chilean citizens like my Grandfather, supported the efforts of President Salvador Allende. He brought civilian rule, stability and peace to the country.
But all of that ended in 1973 when President Allende was killed and the General of the Military Coup took over.
Dictatorship reigned…
It became illegal to show any support for the old government.
And my grandfather…
Well… He was an activist who supported the old government.
My Grandparents together back in Chile
My Grandmother – My Mami – in the middle with all of her daughters – My Tia’s – around her
The military dictatorship would raid homes and look for signs of support.
They found my grandfather.
He was taken away. He became a prisoner of this war.
I wish I could have asked him about it. I wish I could have gotten more details.
Although, even if I spoke Spanish, I don’t know that he would have been able to tell me everything without crying.
He disappeared for some time…
And when he returned to his family, they (along with other families who supported the old government) fled to Argentina.
But in Argentina, things weren’t any easier.
Homes were raided again and again by the military in search of supporters of the old government.
My mom, who was only 5 at the time, tells me how she remembers being forced out of their little temporary home and shuffled down the stairs with her 7 siblings. They would all wait until the search was over and they could return up the stairs.
I was told that my grandpa carried a picture of the old president and hid it while in Argentina. Luckily, they never found it.
Eventually, my family was able to leave the war-ridden land in search of a new home.
This picture was taken in Winnipeg, Manitoba when my Grandparents and their family first landed in Canada
A New Home In Canada.
A friend of mine in university once wrote a paper on my grandfather. She interviewed him about his time as a prisoner in Chile.
Sadly, her computer was stolen and I never got the chance to read all that he said.
Another reason this regret of not learning Spanish hung heavily on my shoulders.
But…
This Blog Post Is Not About Regret.
It’s about REFLECTING and LEARNING!
After all this, I realized… I still have one grandparent left – My beautiful Abuela.
And she has her own story to tell.
I decided that I didn’t want a language barrier to be the reason my grandmother could not tell me her story either.
So…
I Took Action!
I made the decision to learn Spanish (finally)! For my grandmother and my grandfather.
And… I used the practice of Mindfulness to help me shift into a growth mindset to learn this new language!
My Grandparents and my Parents at my Baptism when I was only a few months old!
Here’s how I’ve been learning Spanish with the help of Mindfulness:
1. Find Calm:
My first step in moving forward in my Spanish journey was to practice forgiveness. I had to forgive myself for not learning Spanish earlier. I had to let go of the past and move forward with the present. I had to find my calm and not let the past control my future. It all began with that mindset shift. To reflect and learn from my mistakes. And to remind myself that it’s never too late to learn something new.
2. Get Curious:
To learn from my past self and move forward, I had to ask myself a few questions. Questions like “Why hadn’t I been able to retain the language before?” “What can I do differently this time around?” “What can I use to motivate myself?”
Upon reflecting, I noticed that when I tried to learn Spanish before, it was as an adolescent. I was a kid who didn’t care and a kid who was not self-aware. I’ve changed since then and so has my motivation to learn Spanish. I was able to use these questions to nail down my WHY and HOW I wanted to proceed.
3. Make Connections:
Since I did have some experience being around the Spanish language, I could understand it slightly (only if someone spoke REALLY slowly), but I couldn’t speak it. I knew, to get better at speaking the language, I had to practice speaking the language.
I made plans to connect with family members and friends where we could have real conversations in Spanish. I even got myself a few penpals, young cousins of mine, who’d help me practice my written Spanish! I am grateful for my family’s patience with me.
4. Get Creative:
Since I was no longer in school, and didn’t have a dedicated time and class to attend Spanish, I had to figure out my own schedule to practice. I had to get creative!! And because speaking is much harder for me, I knew I had to practice any chance I got!
I live about an hour from most of my Spanish family and being with them all the time is not ideal.
So… this meant I started speaking to my boyfriend in Spanish (who is definitely NOT Spanish), I started speaking to my pets and even shared some of my thoughts out loud in Spanish. I realize I looked pretty crazy some days, but you gotta do what you gotta do!
5. Make a Commitment:
The final step was to make a commitment. To myself. To this life-long journey. And to not get discouraged when the going gets tough.
To make this commitment manageable, I broke down my commitments into small attainable goals. Goals that I could work towards every day. I adopted this practice of ‘Kaizen’ (a Japanese word that means continuous improvement through small, incremental steps). I committed to practicing 15 minutes of Spanish everyday through the Duolingo app. This was manageable. This has been something I’ve been able to commit to.
I also made the commitment to visit my Spanish family more. To speak with them more. I used to be embarrassed to visit them… Because I couldn’t really speak to them. But not anymore. Now, I CHOOSE to visit them to learn from them. Now, I feel like I belong.
Is There Something You’ve Been Wanting To Learn, But Something Has Been Holding You Back?
Maybe it’s a language too, or maybe you want to learn how to cook. Or maybe you’ve been waiting years to finally pick up that old guitar and learn how to play it.
Whatever your challenge is, I hope you can use this story as inspiration to push through those obstacles.
To use the power of Mindfulness to move forward in your learning and growth.
(Quite literally… NEXT WEEK! At least here in Canada… :P)
So, let’s get all you Educators out there motivated and ready to practice mindful moments this upcoming school year!
(Future you and your students will thank you for it!)
Are you ready…?
Time.
There just never seems to be enough of it.
Especially in a teacher’s day.
Always asking:
“How can I find the time?”
And understandably so…
Teachers have an extensive list of to-do’s!
An extensive, never-ending list…
HOW can we make time for Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is critical for students’ success, emotionalintelligence, and for building life skills.
Mindfulness is essential for teachers’ success, peaceofmind, and to preventburnout.
So, where do we find the time?!
I have the answer for you!
Here are 5 EFFORTLESS Ways to Add Mindfulness into Your Classroom TODAY:
Greet Students at the Door with Gratitude
Many teachers greet their students at the door each morning. Instead of just saying hi… add a fun “Question of the Day” element by asking kids “What are you grateful for?” before entering. Not only is it a fun way to practice mindful gratitude, you’ll also learn more about your students’ lives!
Take a Belly Breath In Between Classes
When switching from Math to Science, or English to Social, take a quick moment to pause for a breath. Have students place their hands on their bellies and take one big deep collective breath together. Remind them they are breathing out the previous activity to make room for the next!
Self Check-In’s
First thing in the morning and at the end of the day, set a 30 second timer and have your students do a quick self check-in. Have students close their eyes (if comfortable) or gaze softly at a spot on the ground. Ask them to pay attention to any thoughts they are having, emotions that come up, or sensations in their body. Remind them not to place judgment on what comes up. Just notice it.
Tapping Before a Test
Before a test or any difficult assignment/activity, take 30-60 seconds to do a little tapping. Tapping is a wonderful way to decrease stress, it helps your students get into the right mindset before any nerve wracking activity. A quick minute is all you need. You can lead it or put on a tapping for kids youtube video! Try tapping in combination with positive affirmations too.
Warm Up for Gym with Yoga or Mindful Stretching
Gym is already part of the curriculum. And we already talk about the importance of stretching with our kids. Moving forward, add the mindful element to your stretching practice before beginning your gym class. Remind kids to stay focused and quiet. To pay attention to their bodies and the sensations from each stretch.
Well, There You Have It!
Some simple ways to sneak mindfulness into your day, everyday!
Time is on your side with these simple classroom mindful moments!
If you’re like me, you turn to a good book when you’re looking for answers.
We reach for the newest Self-Development, Spirituality, Finance or Business book on the shelf. Then, down it like a glass of ice-cold water on a hot day.
Books like:
The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
Daring Greatly by Dr. Brene Brown
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Or the classic: Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
I’ve read all of these books.
I learned something from each of them.
But let me tell you, none of these books were as impactful as the children’s picture books I’ve read…
Picture Books For Adults.
While picture books are written to entertain children, I am convinced that they are actually designed for adults.
The lessons to be learned in a good picture book are just as important for us to digest.
Why?
The thing is, adults get corrupted by life. We get lost along the way.
We have busy lives, stressful jobs, and needy families.
The magic of simplicity and childhood gets tossed aside.
Forgotten.
We only have time to focus on the “grown up” stuff.
We forget to nourish our inner-child.
Picture Books Pack a Punch.
All it takes is a 5 minute picture book to get whacked in the face with a heart-warming lesson. It hits us right in the feels…
We learn about life. We learn about ourselves.
They make us think:
“Oh right… that IS important… I should value that more…I should make more time for that…”
They bring us back to our inner-child.
Our Brains Love Stories.
A human’s brain is wired to digest and break down stories.
We analyze them and search for the meaning behind them.
Kids’ brains do this. Adults’ brains do too.
Think about it…
The hieroglyphics in Ancient Egypt…
… Drawn-out stories!
The tales from Indigenous groups…
… More stories!
Classic moral-inducing fables…
…. All stories!
Stories Are Human Nature.
It’s how we make sense of the world.
So, the next time you’re reaching for the newest self-development or non-fiction book… I challenge you instead… to grab a picture book!
You never know what lessons you’ll find…
Or what lesson will find you!
With love,
Miss T.
Mindful Miss T’s Recommendation of the Day!
Maybe
By Kobi Yamada
A BEAUTIFUL picture book (That I am convinced is written for adults too!) about the endless potential in us all.
I received this book as a birthday gift last week and it reminded me of my purpose and reason for being here on this Earth. It reminded me that everyone has their own purpose. That everyone is here for a reason. Whatever that reason may be. And it is up to us to share our purpose with those around us. That WE are capable of anything.
These are some of the things I hear often when people answer the question:
“Have you practiced mindfulness with your kids today?”
Whether you’re a parent or a teacher… I get you…
Time is a hot commodity that we are always running out of.
Your hands really are full – You’re busy wearing ALL the hats, and doing ALL the things.
BUT, I want to share a secret with you…
You DO Have Time for Mindfulness!
Listen,
When we hear the word mindfulness, we assume we need to carve out a large chunk of time in our days to focus on a single mindfulness practice – like meditation.
This is not the case!
Mindfulness can be weaved in throughout our days, ALL day!
Mindfulness Isn’t Just a Practice…. It’s a State of Being!
We can practice mindfulness when:
We are eating our food mindfully
We are actively listening and engaged in a thoughtful conversation
We are going for a walk and paying attention to our surroundings
The point of mindfulness is to focus our attention on ONE thing – to minimize distractions.
You Don’t Need To “Schedule” Time for Mindfulness.
While you sure can, it is not a necessity! It’s not even a requirement!
It might be helpful at first to write down reminders or come up with a written plan of how YOU want to add mindfulness to your kids (and your) lives.
(Because lets be real here for a moment, if you’re expecting your kids to be more mindful, then you sure as hell be too! Role modelling for the WIN!)
Either way…
You don’t need to add anything or change your schedule around.
You just have to change HOW you view the things that you currently do.
Open Your Eyes to The Possibility of Mindful Moments.
All you need is a minute.
Can you pause more throughout your day to get a quick deep belly breath in with your kids?
Can you use all 5 of your senses to enjoy your meal with your family at the dinner table instead of scarfing it down mindlessly in front of the TV?
Can you put away your phone when talking to your children? Be fully present for them?
YES, YOU CAN!
Mindfulness is a Necessity.
The world is busy and so full of distractions. Anxiety and depression are on the rise – they were well before COVID hit our world. Now, they are increasing at an alarming rate.
Kids (and adults too) are struggling more than ever to cope with stress and manage their ever-changing emotions.
Mindfulness is The Answer.
Living more mindful lives is what will save us.
With mindfulness, our kids will live long and healthy lives. They will more effectively manage their emotions and cope with the uncertainty in the world.
Because we know, uncertainty isn’t going away anytime soon.
We can’t control everything going on around us.
BUT, we can control our response…
We can control our internal states.
I Love the World and It’s Future Generations.
(And I know you do too.)
I envision a peaceful, mindful world – with less people worrying over uncontrollable’s, more people coping and understanding the value of their emotions.
I envision our kids leading their kids. Helping them to live mindfully, and lead healthy, full lives.
“How am I supposed to squeeze anything else into my day…?”
Things I hear in Education..
And I get it, Teachers have a lot on their overflowing plates.
They are more than just Teachers – they feed kids when they’re hungry and console them when they’re hurt.
Days become overwhelmed with to-do’s and then suddenly… its JUNE! And we’re cutting it close on deadlines.
But if we invest a little extra time, into the RIGHT things, it is possible to get some teaching time back!
Let’s take a quick peek into our classrooms…
Teacher’s at the front, attempting to get through her math lesson.
Attempting… because we know her lesson is not going according to plan.
We have Johnny in the front, raising his hand every 2 minutes to interject with a concern. Bianca is noisily tapping on her desk, frustrated because she just doesn’t get math. Will snapped his pencil and is this close to flipping his desk if he has to painstakingly sit through another minute of this class…
Classrooms are overrun with interruptions.
Sometimes, as Educators, we feel so short on time, that we push through our lessons and don’t necessarily deal with the underlying issue…
The Disregulation…
The stress, the frustrations and the anger…
And the truth is… Kids aren’t learning if they are not REGULATED.
To understand that, we need to know how our brains work.
When information enters our brain, either from something external (like a lesson) or from our internal emotions (fear, anger), this information travels from the bottom up.
The Brain Stem, into
Our Limbic System (Emotional brain), and then
The NeoCortex (Thinking brain)
But… when students are disregulated, then information cant travel past our brain stem, our primitive brain…
Think of it as electricity flowing in a circuit. If our regulation “switch” is turned off… no electricity is getting to the “light bulb” part of the brain.
The upper parts of their brains aren’t on.
They can’t use their emotional brain to relate to your lesson… And they most definitely can’t use their thinking brain!
So, what’s the point in stressfully pushing through a lesson if our students wont remember or relate to it…?
We Need Regulation!
And how do we do that?
By taking a little bit of time to mindfully teach regulation strategies!
When our kids become disregulated, but are PREPARED in handing it. We can redirect back to our lesson quicker.
The interruptions become minimal…
And we have a more effective lesson…
All because we invested a little bit of time turning our students brains on.
Here Are Some Easy-Peasy Strategies To Get You Started:
#1: Deep Belly Breathing (and more breathing exercises)
#2: Journalling or Creating Art
#3: Gong for a Walk (even better if it’s outdoors!)
Wishing you the best of luck! (I just know you can do it!)
We don’t all have cozy corners, or carpet spaces in our classrooms… Some of us don’t even have classrooms!
This was my challenge too…
As an Educational Assistant, I didn’t have my own classroom. No place to practice Mindfulness with my students. No place to put my Mindfulness “tools”.
But, I Had A Dream…
I wanted to teach students Mindfulness techniques and get my message out to the school.
I felt it was too important of a dream to just forget about because I was lacking one crucial aspect…
So, how did I overcome this challenge?
How did I bring Mindfulness to my students WITHOUT the space to do so?
I Got Creative…
Accepting that there was a challenge was Step #1!
CHOOSING to find an alternative and face it head on was Step #2!
We don’t often get past Step #1 – Our subconscious holds onto the message that there isn’t always a way around a problem.
BUT…
There is ALWAYS another way! There is ALWAYS an alternative!
All you have to do is a little creative thinking…
For me, this meant introducing…
The Mindfulness Bin!
The Mindfulness Bin was a lightweight bin that held all my Mindfulness tools.
Because I couldn’t hold Mindfulness in one classroom, this bin needed to go ANYWHERE I needed to go.
Sometimes Mindfulness Club took place in the music room, or outdoors. Sometimes it was help in the gym, or in a spare classroom.
Students LOVED to be “Mindfulness Bin Leaders” – They took such pride in hauling our little bin around.
The Mindfulness Tools that you’d be likely to find in my Mindfulness Bin were:
Sit Spots
Breathing Activities Book (Breathe Like a Bear by Kira Willey)
Mandala Colouring Pages
Pencil Crayons
Breathing Stars
Talking Stick
Sand Timer
Activity Cards (Breath Work/Yoga Cards)
Self Check-In Cards & Erasable Markers
Maybe that sounds like a lot to you… But all these items were small and easy to carry.
I’d sometimes switch them out for a little variety.
I NEVER Felt Limited with The Mindfulness Bin!
Although it was small, it sure was mighty!
It had all the tools we needed to get the job done.
My students saw the bin as this magical component to Mindfulness Club…
Remember Mary Poppins?
And the never-ending magical tote bag she would pull unlimited items out of?
Yeah…?
Well, that’s how I felt every time I had The Mindfulness Bin with me!
“What will Miss T. pull out next?!”
No Space, No Problem!
Don’t get discouraged if you have a space-limiting challenge in front of you.
Get creative: Think outside-of-the-box!
There is always a way. Always a solution.
I hope my Mindfulness Bin story will inspire you to take creative action on your next big challenge.
Growing up, I was told if you stay active and eat nutritious foods then you’ll have no problem living to 100!!
I’m sure you’ve heard something along these lines too.
Nutrition and physically activity are the keys to a healthy life…
We hear a lot about the impact our diet and movement can have on our well-being, but we often neglect one of the most important components to our wellness…
Let’s chat about Mental Health!
Where does it fit in this wellness puzzle?
Mental well-being is a tough topic to talk about. Mostly due to lack of awareness.
But now, our world has become filled with anxiety, depression, phobias and a plethora of other mental illnesses.
With mental illness on the rise, we have no choice but to shine a spotlight on Mental Health.
We have to acknowledge it.
And I’m sure glad we are, because it is the real ‘kicker’ when it comes to maintaining our health and wellbeing.
Dr. Gabor Mate, physician and author who specializes in childhood development and trauma, reported about a study of smokers in one of his books.
The smokers were separated into 2 groups:
Smokers who were more emotionally stable
Smokers who were emotionally repressed and had significant stress
… And the findings were shocking!
Although we KNOW the impact smoking has on our health, there were significant differences between the health of the two groups.
The emotionally stable smokers lived longer, healthier lives- not necessarily guaranteeing lung cancer and other diseases.
The emotionally repressed smokers were 5x more likely to develop these diseases!
Smoking alone does not cause lung cancer…
Smoking + Poor Mental Health does!
Woahhh…
This doesn’t mean I’m telling you to take up smoking..
I’m telling you this to remind you how powerful our mindset can be. Our thoughts and emotions have the power to override unhealthy habits – like smoking!
This is why it is so important not to disregard our good ol’ friend ‘Mental Health’ when it comes to our well-being.
Our thoughts can make us sick, but they can also make us well.
Adding in positive mental health practices to our lives is just as essential (if not, more essential) for our overall wellness than physical activity and nutrition alone!
Mental Health is the missing piece to our wellness puzzle.
“I will NEVER work with teenagers. You wont ever find me working in a Junior High School…”
– Young Miss T.
Said a young, naive Miss T.
But, Why?
Do you remember the kind of terror – I mean, kid, you were as a teen?
I never wanted to deal with treacherous teens, like myself.
I told myself, there was just no way…
… Until This Year Happened…
My little Elementary school closed down, and in its place, a Grade 4-9 school was built.
On one hand, I didn’t want to leave my students who would transfer to this new school.
But on the other hand, I remembered the promise I made to myself in my early days of Education.
The promise I made to never work with teenagers.
Why would I want to put myself through that…?
I don’t know what I was thinking when I said YES to the position at this new school….
I don’t know what I was thinking when I said YES when they asked if I’d work with a Grade 9 classroom….
But I did anyways.
I Was Paralyzed With Fear Back In September.
Surrounded by “kids” taller than I was.
Surrounded by cliques of teens.
How was I supposed to look confident? Unafraid?
When deep down, I felt like I was thrown back in junior high trying to prove myself to all these “cool” teens. Trying to “fit in”. To be “accepted” as one of their own.
I remember asking other staff members for advice.
“They’re Just Big Kids” – They’d All Say.
It took me a while to realize this was true.
It took me a while to look past their height and intimidating demeanour.
What it took, was me coming back to the school after my leave of absence…
I mustered up the courage to seek out my Grade 9’s again – worrying, yet again, if they’d be angry with me for leaving.
I worried that the kids I was scared of all along, would really give me something to be afraid of…
“Look! It’s Miss T!” – Someone Shouted.
I took one step through the door, and immediately was pummelled by student hugs!
Hugs so tight that it took me back to my Elementary school days…
These hugs felt exactly like my Grade 1’s and 2’s hugs did.
Except, this time, when I looked down, there weren’t tiny humans hanging on tightly to my legs…
Instead, there were beautiful tiny souls disguised as teenagers.
I learned a beautiful lesson that day…
Do not be fooled: Teenagers really are just big kids after all…
Thank you to the teenagers who changed my life and my perception…
I am grateful for all you taught me! (Yes, I’m looking at you – My Homeroom 9-1‘s)
Earth Day is around the corner! (Quite literally… TOMORROW!)
It is personally, one of my favourite days of the year!
Want to know why…?
Because no matter who you are, what background you come from, no matter your differences, we share one commonality…
We are ALL inhabitants of this planet we call home…
And it is up to us to care for and maintain this home!
We have the ability to impact the Earth, AND it’s future generations.
We can TEACH the young kids in our lives to love and respect the Earth.
We can teach them WHY its important to do so!
And so I ask:
How will you choose to teach them this?
There are SO many ways to influence our kids!
But, if you need a little help with some inspiration…
Check Out These Revolutionary Reads About Caring For Our Earth:
#1: Touch the Earth – Julian Lennon
The first few book recommendations are part of a series. ‘Touch the Earth’ is the first book of this 3-part series, written by John Lennon’s son, Julian Lennon! Julian takes kids (and big kids like myself) on an adventure of the Earth in the ‘White Feather Flier’ airplane. On these travels, he shows us how we can all make the Earth a better place.
Fun Fact: The name of The White Feather Flier is inspired by his father and his humanitarian efforts.
#2: Heal the Earth – Julian Lennon
In the second book of this series, Julian takes us on another adventure of the Earth in the ‘White Feather Flier’! This time, we learn the importance of caring for our worlds water supply and how to reverse some of the damage that humans have already done to the Earth.
He reminds us its not too late to make a difference!
#3: Love the Earth – Julian Lennon
In this final book of the series, Julian Lennon teaches us to use the power of love to protect the Earth and its inhabitants! He shows us that all parts of the Earth are connected and why it’s important to help other creatures that need it. The Earth is more than just a home for humans…
He reminds us that we can solve any problem if we just work together!
#3: The Earth Book – Todd Parr
This fun and simple book is filled with ways that we can take care of the Earth! Todd Parr is a funny and inspiring author! We can all learn a thing or two from him.
Fun Fact: This book is printed on recyclable materials and nontoxic soy inks!! He practices what he preaches!!
#5: The Lorax – Dr. Seuss
This book is a classic that never gets old… Even Dr. Seuss knew way back then of the importance of the Earth and it’s trees! A beautiful reminder of the tragedies that could happen if we neglect our Earth and cut down trees at an alarming rate!I resonate with the Lorax… As a being who also “speaks for the trees!”
I hope you enjoy the inspiration from these books!
I’ll leave you with one final thought…
Kids learn more from what we DO, rather than what we SAY…
The learning doesn’t stop after reading these books.
Please don’t think:
“Okay, I did my part. Now I’m done…”
It doesn’t work like this.
Go out in the world and actively do something to make it a better place for all of us to live.
Kids learn through involvement! And they learn from your actions!
So, I ask one more time…
How will YOU teach them how to care for the Earth?
Mindful Miss T. 