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Peace
by Joy Jones
Peace on earth,
goodwill towards all... and wouldn't it be wonderful if
it could start in your classroom? Spread some serenity
this season. Here is a reflection on the topic of PEACE,
taken from the book, Private Lessons: A Book of
Meditations for Teachers by Joy Jones.
PEACE
A soft word turns away wrath.
--Proverbs
Lynn was disliked by every member of the fourth grade
and I wasn't too fond of her myself. As the substitute
teacher, I was only there for the day but I wasn't sure
if I was going to make it without throttling her. When
she threw her notebook at me, I grabbed her by the arm
and marched her down to the principal's office.
Mr. Foster saw the sullen expression on Lynn's face and
the steam spewing out of my ears as we approached him.
He didn't appear alarmed, didn't scold Lynn or lecture
me. Mr. Foster simply invited us to sit down, as if we
were guests in his living room, rather than two very
angry and upset people. He spoke in a quiet, modulated
voice. Somehow, his peaceful presence calmed me, helped
to dissipate my anger. Even Lynn softened and became
more tractable.
It taught me the value of modeling calm. A peaceful
spirit can be contagious. Does your workplace need an
outbreak of rampant serenity?
Today's Lesson: Today, I am an instrument of peace.
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