At the beginning of the year, we were asked to consider our goals for the school year, and while certainly my goal is to be an effective Spanish teacher, a very vivid memory popped up. During my second year as a high school teacher, I began a tradition of starting each class with a song in Spanish. Sometimes it was just an instrumental track, often it was a Bible verse in Spanish set to music. This introduced the students to new Spanish-speaking artists and the music and culture of different countries. Additionally, the song time allowed me to take attendance, check for dress code, and make sure that everything was set for the class, including my own thoughts and attitude. I told my students that they were encouraged to take that time for prayer and contemplation, but that they could also use it simply to rest for a moment--the goal was to allow them to let go of distractions and whatever might be swirling around in their thoughts and concentrate on Spanish.
One day another teacher stopped me in the lounge and said, "Do you know what Cody B.* told me this morning? He said that he looks forward to Spanish class all day." As Cody was barely hanging on to a C in my class, and had never shown any particular interest in Spanish, I was quite surprised. She continued, "He said that you have a quiet time at the beginning of class, and it is the one time in his day where he knows that he will have a place of peace." That went straight to my heart. I later found out that one of Cody's grandparents was dying of cancer, and there were some other difficult situations in his family.
That has stuck with me ever since, and so one of my primary goals this year is for my classroom to be a place of peace. Research has clearly shown that children learn better when they are at peace. Fear, anxiety and other negative emotions inhibit higher brain function, including the acquisition and retention of new knowledge. I know that my students work incredibly hard, and we all have those weeks where every day seems like a Monday, frustrations build, anxiety gnaws, or even those times when everything is going great but it is just hard to shut off the flow of our thoughts and concentrate on the next class. One of my priorities is to help them find that tranquility and focus. All Saints has beautifully set a schedule of prayers and classes where we have those moments of calm to re-center our day, and I am so grateful to be a part of a school that serves the Prince of Peace. This year, as we work to make our Spanish class a place of peace, I welcome your ideas and feedback.
*Name changed.
