For the month of March , I will be participating in the Slice of Life Challenge (#sol19) sponsored by Two Writing Teachers. I will be slicing each day for 31 days inspired by my work as a literacy specialist and coach, my life, and my fellow bloggers.
I chose a word in January to guide some choices that I made throughout this year. It’s the eight year that I have chosen a word. This year’s word is reflection. Reflection
Reflection: Greeting #sol19
March 21, 2019
I come around the corner. There’s my cart, full for the meeting. My head is full but now thoughts are fully forming. Snippets sailing through in the early morning routine. As the next room comes into view, she is there at the counter. She signs in and turns to the doorway. I comment that she hasn’t brought much with her today. She laughs.
We come into the room together, jostling in the open doorway. Arms full, we haven’t fully made eye contact yet. We begin to set up our things for the meetings to come, technology, pens, notebooks. She looks in her bag for something. I peer in behind her to see if she has any books I want to take a peek at. I notice there is a book in her bag that I’ve just read.
We turn towards each other at the same moment close in proximity. She begins speaking as our eyes come up from our work to each other. When our eyes meet, she pauses. I am not sure who reached first, but at that moment we embrace.
The words will come. For that moment there is just connection.
Sometimes a meeting, a talk, a lessons will start with a rush of words. That pause, that moment of eye-to-eye, connection is the heart of the work. Being a coach, an educator, a colleague is about so many different kinds of work. The heart of the work is connection. Stopping in the moment, in the day, in the work to look someone in the eye. To say, I’m listening. I hear you. You matter to me. What you’re thinking and feeling and struggling with, matters to me.
Reflections from a Coach 
That’s a slice. I like when I find examples that I can show a kid (or adult) who’s confused about what constitutes a slice. This has these early images that are rushed, maybe disjointed. They create a mood of business and moving through the routine. Then, it pivots. And there’s your moment. Thank you.
Your slice today reminds us all that learning happens when there is a connection, a community of learners, and compassion. Acceptance of our learners where they are, and showing that we love and understand them is key. Thank you for that reminder today.
Your post today resonated with me as a coach. Loved your last paragraph, especially. What great reminders. Thank you.
My favorite lines… “Sometimes a meeting, a talk, a lessons will start with a rush of words. That pause, that moment of eye-to-eye, connection is the heart of the work.” I can totally connect and feel this.
Nailed it!
What strikes me in this slice is how much unspoken communication there is before the moment of connection.
Another slice (a day late just read today’s) about the importance of relationships. Slowing down, listening, noticing — all are important teaching/coaching moves.