editor’s NOTE EDITOr’S NOTE
I
love yoga, spin and kickboxing classes; the first one pushes me mentally (compulsive thoughts must pause to strike that pose perfectly!) and the second two challenge me physically (heart and thighs must persist through pain to experience that “I-did-it” high!). But after two years of being fairly dedicated to these three types of exercise, I’ve been finding excuses to sit in my leather chair and eat Pop Tarts every morning instead of venturing to the Y. Finally, with the New Year quickly approaching and my desire to get serious about fitness, I decided to try a new class – one that would challenge my fitness level and my fear of putting my face in water.
and, although I really wanted to play it cool again, a smile crept onto my face. “That’s it!,” she said.
Next I had to go on my back and hug one leg as I kicked with the other and reverse it for a final lap. As awkward as scratching your own back, but I did it. Who cares that I was the last one to finish – and stupidly attempted to do A “Finning” sounded fun when mentioned it call the shots (don’t be • Let students ouldn’t itclass be great if you coulda friend the end-of-class cool down stretches with my flippers on: I last notSimon a scared;but read Evans’ article)managed to only get one quarter-size splash q uyear. i c k lShe’s y s k ilike m me t h e– caofairly n t e nregular t s o f exerciser had somehow fitness fanatic. Surely,aifn d shes ucould Teachers Matter d d e ndo l y it, so could I. It took of water on my face; my hair was mostly dry; and I made it Invest solutions, not standards me teacher awhile to that I might have to,• for the firstintime become the of realise every student’s, parent’s through the whole class.y No need to harp on the fact that (imagine the possibilities with Barr since I was 11, actually swim with and principal’s dreams? Not possible, right?my face in the water it was only 45 minutes long. Musson) and get the my hair wet.of The class description was what made We know that process becoming an me teacher worry: ittakes mentioned “high cardio” and “total body,” Afterwards, reflected on how much the Habits of Mind • Follow a GPS and map itI out (Bena exceptional openness, research, which sounded like a lot of splashing. had helped me through Kallick suggests that you take hintsthe process. I was subconsciously practice and commitment – in other words, a using – which understand is the ultimate goal of from to staythem on track in Ithe significant investment of time. As Stacy, the smiling teacher, rolled out the technology rubbish the 16 Habits: you practice them enough so that they classroom) filled with you fins, can I tried play it cool and follow the But therebin is something do to right now become part of you and you rely on them to grow in all experienced over the• flippers, to at least start the finners. process.They Hereflipped are some Freeze looking the positivity (tips onIkeeping kids situations. was definitely persisting (despite thinking for a size close to their shoe size, so I did, too. Some then quick teasers – a few words to summarise excited, compliments of Chris Kerr) listening with understanding when the about quitting!); on the left what theheaded expertstointhe this“fast” issuelanes are sharing – and others to the teacher spoke; thinking • Be the community kind (how to go flexibly (I sort of had an open middle section, sliding to spark “slow” your interest. Take a after deeper look on at their fins as they sat mind, right?!); thinking beyond a good student to a good citizenabout my thinking (realizing my on thelater edge. Onethen woman demonstrated their articles and go even further her gloves – which “self-talk” and encouraging myself); striving for accuracy with advice from David Koutsoukis) weremore webbed and their rubbery-looking by reading about techniques,– to two women (no (I really wanted to kick my legs the “right way”); thinking in this classthe of 15). She had and brought her own gloves, taking amen class, trying techniques • Slip, Slop, Slap (from the master of catchy and communicating with clarity and precision (I clarified and I wrongly guessed laps would be easier if I then eventually mastering them.that Stepmy by step, phrases – Glenn Capelli) things the teacher told me); taking responsible risks (I had prettyway pair,to too. you’ll be ona your communicating was smart to not attempt this in an ocean for starters); • Get personal with your students (Kevin clearly, motivating yourresistance,” students andStacy helping “They increase explained later. “It’s a remaining open to continuous learning; and maybe most Mayall tells you why) them develop lifelong love of learning: hardera workout.” important, finding humour (I hope you can see that I can • If it’s not broken,poke stillfun fix at it myself!) (Martz Witty After 11 minutes (yep, I looked), I wanted to quit. I was keeps you improving) with the gloved woman and her two newbie friends – Art Costa spells out the Habits in this issue, and many of • Share with everyone who looked to be 20 years my senior. They were your going “view” our other writers specifically mention them or indirectly (Ngahi Bidois an analogy to show youto work makes a difference in the faster than me as we alternated laps between going onuses show how putting them thesitting-in-arewards) our side, our stomach, our back and a weird classroom and in life. If you’re not already familiar with chair position and did different kicks (straight-leg flutters, the Habits or not yet practicing them, the start of the year, • If you’re ready, the “not-ready” child bent-knee kicks, mountain climbing-like kicks). I am not with all its promise and possibilities, is the perfect time to might still grow (Maggie Dent explains proud to admit this but I am competitive: I would hate to do so – and I think reading this magazine is the perfect how the right teacher makes a difference.) be falling behind with people my age. I nearly wished for way to get started. I hope you’ll agree. death as the adventurous seniors left me behind.
W
Teachers Teachers Matter Matter
Until …well…the turtle that I am started to see the hares hesitate.
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“I have a cramp,” said one about 10 minutes later. (Stacy suggested putting mustard on it after class. I confirmed in my cardio-crazed state that she really said that. Something about countering some chemical that causes cramps?) Soon after, the other newbie woman said she had to rest. Stacy focused on me and said to do this crazy, on-mystomach move: My hands were behind my back in a downward prayer-like position and my legs were kicking like a frog. I think. As I finished the lap, she cheered me on
Kristen De Deyn Kirk
