On the fourth day of every Authenticity in the Classroom workshop, we ask our participants to create a visual representation of their stress in their professional lives and discuss with the group what they have created. We typically hear stories of frustration and anxiety. Teachers talk about feeling hemmed in by time constraints, frustration with technology, or pressure to meet the demands of their administrations. This past December however, one participant’s took showed us something completely different.
Preschool teacher Lizelle Canque showed us an amazing visual technique she learned from her kindergarten teacher to help her reduce stress and let her tap into her own creativity. One of the things we loved about Lizelle’s piece is that it demonstrates the profound impact educators can have on their students' lives long after they have left the classroom. Years later, Lizelle not only uses the technique for herself but she teaches it to her students as well. Watch the video below to hear Lizelle explain the technique and how she uses it today.