Sunday, October 2, 2016

A new chapter in Yuma, AZ

Hello Friends!

For those confused by my blog address, I will one day purchase the "mindfulyumakids," domain to add to "mindfulphillykids," but for now we'll stick with what's in place...

I made it!  I'm 10 weeks in to my new life in the southwest of the US, and what a roller coaster its been so far.  I am the preschool teacher at a lovely little Catholic School, Immaculate Conception, in Yuma, AZ.  Yuma is in the southwest corner of the US, just minutes from the borders of California and Mexico.  It is a three hour ride to San Diego, and three hours to Phoenix.  The families and teachers at IC couldn't be more friendly and welcoming, and our classroom is HUGE!  The two assistant teachers I am blessed to work with are utterly amazing, embracing the same holistic approach to education that I hold dear to my heart.

This is my first experience teaching at a Catholic School and, prior to moving to Yuma, I had been focused on secular mindfulness practice.  I knew that the transition had seamless potential, but I just didn't know where to start.  I have spent the first two months of school re-integrating into classroom life and forming relationships with the children and staff at our school.  The more I learn about teaching the Catholic faith, the more I am able to also bring tools of mindfulness into the classroom in the form of Christian meditation.  This week I will reach out to parents of our class to share what I am finally beginning to see clearly.  I hope to work together with families to implement Christian meditation, also known as contemplative prayer or prayer of the heart, into our classroom and into family life at home.

This transition has not been easy for me. From east coast to west coast, from established friends and family to new friends and different family, from working with just a handful of children to a whole classroom of children (albeit a small one- only 12 children to start the year, whew!), from having daily interaction with my one-day-husband, to embracing a long-distance relationship- this transition has been a doozy!  It is has been hard, but it is a good kind of hard.  I feel myself learning and growing everyday, and I really can't ask for anything more.

Thank you to all who support me day in and day out, especially my dear Mom, who makes this experience possible with her ongoing love, support and sharing of a beautiful home and delicious meals!

Here's a new video I just watched about mindfulness in the classroom.  I'm hoping to be able to take this training soon:  Mindful Schools In-Class Instruction- https://youtu.be/MMK481p5wWM


Peace from me to you!  -Kim