Take a deep breathWe all know the importance of taking care of ourselves but last week I met with a group of teachers online and realized that everyone isn’t doing that. Every educator has put their students first during this pandemic and teachers with families are making their families a priority as well. I couldn’t agree more – that’s the way it should be! BUT – and that’s a 3 letter word that needs to help us take a moment and pause.It’s critical that teachers take a pause each day to focus on themselves. If this doesn’t happen there is a chance that you won’t be able to take care of others. When you fly on an airplane, the flight attendant instructs you to “put your oxygen mask on first,” before helping others. … Because if you run out of oxygen yourself, you can’t help anyone else with their oxygen mask.Today I discovered, thanks to one of my college roommates LeeAnn, that Billy Collins is live on facebook each day at 5:30 reading his poems. His poetry readings are archived so if you can’t catch him at 5:30 you can visit his facebook page later on and listen and watch. As the snow fell yesterday afternoon I listened and took a deep breath and found myself completely removed from the stress of the world. I created this video below with hopes that everyone can share my feeling of calm.This morning a friend sent a link to a blog called In Times of Panic, Be Kind & Create by blogger Felicia C. Sullivan. She said: “And for me, it’s been the act of creating and being kind. Centering myself a little less and others more. It’s about making something with my hands. Typing words into blank spaces even if only five people read them. Who cares, who cares, because five is larger than none. Hoping those words will reach into the void and find others. Tap them on the shoulder. Pull them close. Hold them tight. Don’t worry, I’m not letting go.”Connecting with your students sends that message loud and clear. They want to know that you’re there for them and if you take a pause each day for yourself you will be able to continue to give them your best. Stay well and remember to be kind to yourself. Do whatever you can and don’t feel bad about what you’re not doing.
Argy Nestor
Arts Educator, Blogger, Artist, Connector meartsed@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/view/anestor/
Argy’s Blog
The purpose of this blog is to share stories about people and places; and to celebrate the amazing work (and play) that students, educators, and organizations are doing in and for arts education. In addition, the blog has a plethora of resources and innovative ideas. This forum gives blog readers the opportunity to learn from each other. It is essential that we listen, learn, and collaborate in order to build on teaching practices for the benefit of every learner in Maine and beyond.
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