Tango lessons

I Learned a lot about learning tonight in a one- hour tango lesson.

1. It helps to know the big picture before you begin.
Steve and I were 10 minutes late to our lesson and we missed the instructor's introduction to the dance. We got there in time to step out on the floor and follow the instructors steps but having missed the intro, we were in a state of confusion. We just stood on the dance floor looking dumbfounded and asked each other, " What are we supposed to be doing?"

2. It helps to relate new learning to something you already know.
Half way through the lesson it dawned on us that the tango is unlike any other dance we have ever done and in fact is more like practicing partner yoga. Okay, now we get it sort of. You don't dance to the beat.

3. If you don't think you will enjoy it, you don't want to stick around to learn it.
We like dancing to a beat. We like mastering a pattern of steps. So when we realized we weren't going to do either we just wanted to quit and go home.

4. If you don't think you will be good at it, you don't want to keep trying.
The instructor was a master tango- er and made it look simple and elegant. But eight steps was about all Steve and I could master, and that wasn't enough to keep us motivated to learn more.

5. An instructor's passion for the subject can inspire the learner.
Near the end of the hour, Steve and I were both ready to quit and go home, but something made me want to give it one last try. It wasn't because I liked dancing with no regard for the beat. It wasnt because we were starting to get the hang of it. It was this man's love for the dance. I wanted to know why he and all the other tango -ers out there travel the world over to attend tango events. So I asked if I could dance with him. And now I get it. It's smooth yet unpredictable. It's earthy yet sophisticated. It's simple yet complex. After only three dances, I felt a little bit of success and am intrigued enough to google "tango" and drag Steve back out on the dance floor.

Risk Taking

Many years ago, I had a conversation with some young men who had been in the habit of vandalizing mailboxes. When I asked them why they did it, they were honest and said it was for the adrenaline rush. They said I just didn't understand that teen agers need to do wild and crazy things. I assured them I understood that need and that there is nothing wrong with being wild and crazy, but their craziness can't hurt them or anyone else or anyone else's property. "Go snowboarding, kayaking, jump off the rocks into the lake." I told them. "But don't mess with my neighbors' mailboxes!"

In the years since that conversation, I have thought about the importance of giving our teens opportunities for healthy risk-taking. And that's just what I got to do today. I was one of the chaperones for the 8th grade trip to Big Sky Ropes Course where the students could try some pretty scary/exciting physical challenges in a safe and supportive environment.

What a thrill to see their determination as they tackled the climbing wall with their hands and feet and guts. Or watch a group of students grabbing a massive rope respond to the leaders command of "Pull!" to lift their classmate to the tree tops. I was so inspired by their courage and the pure joy on their faces when they completed a challenge, that I strapped into a harness, climbed a way high ladder, and threw myself off a tree ledge to fly across the lake on a zip line. In a matter of seconds I had faced one of my most persistant fears, felt the rush, and felt like a teenager again.

Wild and crazy and good fun!

Top 10

My top 10 things about teaching: (today)

1. Kids' faces
2. Nice desk
3. Free office supplies
4. Field trips
5. Variety
6. Little notes that say "You tot me the best."
7. Getting to hear kids' ideas
8. Getting hugs from past students when they are all grown up
9. Getting to read great books to kids
10. There is a unique challenge to every day

Today's ARFF

Achievement: taught the sixth graders how to use cooperation to "group juggle" six balls at once.
Respect: lunch with a friend.
Fun: taking a yoga class with the eighth graders.
Freedom: a nice long walk in the sun.

This Year I Will...

...influence students to think and be responsible
with respect, trust, joy, and GUSTO!

Teachers

We are performing artists.
The classroom
Is our stage.
We dedicate
Our life
To our art.

From "Excellence in Teaching"
By Dennis M. McLoughlin

summer ARFF

Today I talked with a group of teachers about how important it is to fill your "well" in order to have enough to give to others. This is a photo of one of my "well-filling" activities this summer.

Learning to fly a kite at the ocean is Achievement, Respect, Fun, AND Freedom!