It is my great good fortune that many mornings a charming young lady named Maggie bestows upon me -with her unique energy and enthusiasm- a warm and welcome, spontaneous hug. This exchange for me is a sacramental moment - a milestone moment in which you catch a glimpse of the almost unbearable preciousness and mystery of life -chock full of meaning about openness, connection and hope which children uniquely provide.
I began my teaching career as a substitute teacher in the public school in Maine. One fall day, I was called to substitute for a fourth grade teacher in a small mid coast town. Among the twenty four students was a special needs child named Chris. I was instructed to not worry overly about his engagement or performance and just focus on the lessons left to me with the whole class. I did my best to include Chris but to also not bring any pressure to bear. Just prior to recess at lunch time it was time for me to read aloud. So, I sat in a chair and began reading aloud to the class. Suddenly, Chris stood up and walked up to me, climbed in my lap and put his head on my chest. I could tell from the faces of the children that this was unusual and endeavored to convey a keep calm attitude to all as I continued reading aloud. Inwardly, I was of course confused and most uncertain how to proceed. As I concluded the story, I asked the children to line up for recess and asked the line leader to seek an adult. Eventually, the school nurse arrived and with some effort cajoled Chris away from me and on to his lunch. He later went home.
At the end of the day, the school social worker came to speak with me and offered explanations of the experience most of which did not resonate with me. As I drove home from my day, I finally had a chance to explore from my perspective both what had happened and how I felt about it.
Even now as I recall this, I am filled with energy and emotion. I remain in awe of what Chris taught me in that sacramental moment that we shared. He gave me the gift of awareness, an understanding of connection and the many levels on which it unfolds for teachers and their students, and he helped me know that my students would endlessly offer me so much more than I offer them. These sacramental moments are the true experience and understanding of education as love and of the vitality that flows out of simply being present to one another.
Now, I am a mom to two children – a son and a daughter – and they look at me seeing me with the eyes of a child and through some sacramental grace of life love me.
In the winter season we are invited once again to be as open and transparent as children in practicing and embracing the utter simplicity of love – giving and receiving it in our lives. At heart, our spirit and spirituality perpetuates the truth that every child is a unique light and well nurtured will self-actualize and share his or her many gifts. This belief elevates the process of education from a simple intellectual pursuit to the shaping of individuals who will lead lives of consequence. Children grow not just in knowledge but in wisdom, not just in critical thought but in compassion. We want each child to realize his or her richest potential for learning and become an independent, self-motivated and contributing member of the world community and to engage in service to others. “The aim of such an education indicates the desire to contribute to the good of all, to share in this cosmic goodness.” Maria Montessori
