Alphabet meditations for teachers

Alphabet Meditations for Teachers, by Nancy Oelklaus, Ed.D., is a collection of poetic meditations on the subject of teaching, with topics ranging from A to Z.

I fell in love with the book and had to share with all of my blog readers. Even if you are not a teacher, you certainly know a teacher or two. In the "back-to-school" spirit that pervades the northern hemisphere right now, let me recommend this book as a fabulous gift for the godly teachers in your lives.

This book is all about the real reason for teaching. Not the test scores and report cards, but the children, the children of Divine Love.

An excerpt from the G - Grades meditation:

How many times
Does a student who makes F
Need to be told
He's an F
Before his spirit breaks?

Or a C student,
That she's mediocre?
Or A students,
That they're grand?
Or me, that I'm powerful?

Oh, help me know
That in your eyes
We're all precious,
Perfect children of Divine Love.
Help me reflect that love.

My copy of the book is dog-eared with the excerpts I'd love to share with you. Alas, I'm not sure that would be appropriate given copyright laws!

There's a short section in the back of the book on using the book for professional development, so it's not only a pleasure read. It's a way for teachers to get back to the reason they started teaching in the first place.

If I were the publisher, I would expand the photos and market this currently 52-page paperback as a hardback "coffee table" gift book for all teachers! The words really are beautiful, meaningful, and deserving of a beautiful package.

For more information or to buy the book, check out www.alphabetmeditations.com.

There are people out there who do not understand what the life of a teacher is like.  They’re not difficult to find.  They’re the ones who think teachers have an easy job, one that pays far too much for only nine months of work out of the year.  They’re the ones who might not admit it, but really think our educators are nothing more than glorified babysitters.  Only those of us who have gotten a glimpse at a teacher’s life, either by doing or purposefully observing, truly understand how much work a teacher is expected to do.  There are lessons to plan, papers to grade, parents to meet, meetings to attend, classrooms to design and decorate, fights to settle, discipline to be determined, etc.  Contrary to popular belief, a teacher’s job does not end when the final bell rings. 

Nancy Oelklaus is someone who understands all the stresses and strains of an educator.  In her book, Alphabet Meditations for Teachers, she provides teachers with a way to refocus themselves and prepare for a new day in the classroom.  Filled with numerous gentle and rhythmic meditations, Oelklaus addresses all those dark thoughts teachers have, but are too ashamed to admit.  Her writing is brutally honest, and in that way, gives the reader a chance to also be honest with him or herself.  The selections in the book focus on various difficult aspects of a teacher’s job, such as respecting diversity, changing instruction when results aren’t being achieved, grading, noise control, enforcing rules, and determining what students really need to know.  The meditation that focuses on parent-teacher relationships will ring true with every educator, especially the passage that reads, “Give me the grace not to be defensive when they attack, but to calmly and confidently explain myself to them.”  Oelklaus understands the worries of a teacher like only a teacher could.

There is also a guide for using these meditations as a professional development activity included in the back of the book.  This could be a relaxing and rewarding way to bond with your colleagues.  It would make an excellent gift for anyone involved with children on a consistent basis, as its underlying messages speak of loving children for their differences and giving them the best we have.

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (3/09)

“Alphabet Meditations for Teachers,” contains twenty-six poems that cover topics, from A through Z, which teachers will relate to. Each meaningful poem has a colorful photograph to accompany it.  The author did an awesome job of finding topics which every educator will find meaningful.  As a community college instructor of students with disabilities, I found myself totally understanding the topics that were covered.  I feel that they reach beyond the K-12 level.

Reading this book reminded me that we are here for our students, not vice versa.  Being from a variety of backgrounds it is important for us to accept them no matter what their socio-economic status is.  As educators we have to love them and believe in them no matter what.  Dr. Oelklaus’s words really touched my heart.   Reminding me to replace fear with love and to accept change as it appears, makes the education world a more exciting, adventuresome place. 

“Alphabet Meditations for Teachers: Everyday Wisdom for Educators” by Nancy Oelklaus would make the perfect gift for any teacher, especially if they might be feeling burnout.  It will inspire them to remember why they chose to teach.  It also would make a perfect gift for a brand new teacher.  As they begin to experience the good and bad things that come with the profession, it will let them know that others have had the same thoughts and feelings.

<a href="http://insidescooplive.com/author-pages/Oelklaus-Nancy-interview.html" target="_blank">Listen to interview with Nancy Oelklaus on Inside Scoop Live </a>
<a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/InterviewOelklausAlphabet.html">Read interview with author</a>