The Eight Characteristics of the Master Teacher Embracing the Process of Personal Transformation Edgar Ball and Jonathan Wolff © 2018 Jonathan Wolff Publications The first essential is that the teacher should go through an inner, spiritual preparation—cultivate certain aptitudes in the moral order. This is the most difficult part of her training, without which all the rest is of no avail. . . She must study how to purify her heart and render it burning with charity towards the child. She must ‘put on humility’ and above all, learn how to serve. She must learn how to appreciate and gather in all those tiny and delicate manifestations of the opening life in the child’s soul. Ability to do this can only be attained through a genuine effort towards self-perfection. —Maria Montessori 1 Introduction This is workbook is designed to be used as an assessment and transformational tool. It was originally created as an accompanying workbook for our workshop, The 8 Characteristics of the Master Teacher - Embracing the Process of Personal Transformation. Since we first presented this topic at the National Center For Montessori Education 1995 national conference, we have received numerous requests to format the presentation into a workbook. Keep in mind, the process of personal transformation is not solely an intellectual exercise. It also requires intuition, feeling, imagination, affirmation, visualization, observation, will power, and a thoroughly detached sense of humor! Thus, to make optimum use of this workbook calls for self-awareness, selfassessment, self-acceptance, courage, love, and laughter. So let us begin on the journey of the Master Teacher by asking ourselves a question of intent: Why am I a teacher? What is my primary motivation? ___ To become independently wealthy. ___ I’d rather work and associate with children than with adults. ___ I’m really not suited or skilled to do anything else. ___ I have an obsessive-compulsive personality and Montessori teaching satisfies my insatiable need for order and control. ___ I want to reform the process of child education because my school experience was so unfulfilling, depressing, and traumatic. ___ I have a co-dependent' personality and am driven to rescue vulnerable creatures, especially young children. ___ My inner child was wounded by adults and I find young children are the safest people to be around while I work on healing my emotional scars. ___ I am committed to helping children discover and develop his/her unique potential and greatness as a human being. 2 ___ ___ I want to make the planet safe and sustainable by teaching young people to care, share, and dare to make a difference. I am committed to expanding my own self-awareness and personal potential. All tongue-in-cheek humor aside, which motivations on the list struck a chord in you? Which ones evoked the most emphatic, "Yes!" Many teachers select, as their primary motivation for being a Montessori educator is, "I am committed to helping the child discover and develop their unique potential and greatness as a human being." We believe master Montessori teachers have a different perspective. If teaching is about modeling character and self-actualization as well as dispensing information, we believe the Montessori teacher must present herself as a humble co-learner and not infallible authority figure dispensing knowledge. We must be as committed to our own expansion of consciousness and character development as to our work with children. Thus, the Master Teacher is motivated to teach because the process of interacting with children becomes the basis for their own spiritual unfoldment. We dedicate this workbook to those in the teaching profession who cherish for the opportunity to develop themselves while helping children to do the same. 3 4 Native American Medicine Wheel Why we have formatted this self-learning process on the principles and pattern of the Native American Medicine Wheel Contrary to most systems of human development and learning, we believe spiritual-transformational growth to be a non-linear process. As we a dealing with an expansion of awareness and personal abilities, we perceive this awakening and unfolding process as very much a circular, or if you will, spherical construct. The symbol of the wheel, which indigenous peoples around the globe have long held sacred, is more appropriate for the kind of inner growth we envision than the traditional "move from point A to point B" process so traditional in Western civilization. Furthermore, we view personal growth or self-transformation as much a process of "balancing of forces and faculties" and as one of "strengthening assets and eliminating deficits". The greatest wisdom, insight, peace, and happiness emanate from a state of physical, mental, and emotional equilibrium. The eagle is an effective bird of prey because every component of its being - eyes, beak, talons, and wings - supports its purpose and objectives. The symbol of the wheel, symmetrically arrayed with its balancing and supporting spokes, perfectly exemplifies the integrated and equilibrated process of self transformation. 5 Why Native American culture linked animals with spiritual qualities as symbols for transformative growth The great teachers throughout history - Christ, Krishna, Buddha, Lao Tzu - as well as many modern sages and scholars - Einstein, Lincoln, Walt Whitman, Maya Angelou - have perceived the cinematic spectacle of creation as a metaphor for spiritual growth. The question then arises, “Do the things that happen to us carry an intrinsic meaning or message that can help us become happier, healthier, more effective individuals?” We believe the answer is, "Yes!" 6 EAGLE Master Teachers are aware of the unity of life and their relationship to the whole 7 The Eagle Like the Eagle I will be, Soaring, soaring endlessly, Over forests, over plains, High on winds where freedom reigns. Seeing all and everything, The rabbit small, the mountain king, I see the plan and every part, I hold the vision in my heart. I hold the vision day and night, The world in one of love and light. 8 Eagle Allies Feels a spiritual connection with all things and all beings Interacts comfortably in both spiritual and material realms Perceives patterns, systems, and interconnections Is in touch with one’s personal power Has faith in oneself and trust in one’s spiritual unfoldment Views and accepts personal tests as opportunities for learning and growth Is able to perceive the big-picture potential in all things Values freedom in all forms Lives in the present and values the gifts of the present Sees life and learning as a never-ending process of self development Adversaries Lives in the past or future Feels alienated from self and others Is unwilling to learn from one’s mistakes Has a tendency to be self-critical and a perfectionist Feels limited by their life experiences and the influence of others Is habituated to negative, self-limiting thinking Clings to old habits of thinking Is fearful of and resistant to change Has difficulty finding the meaning in life’s events 9 I. Eagle Master Teachers are aware of the unity of life and their relationship to the whole Self-Inquiry and Exercises 1. What is your vision for your life? What does life fulfillment look like? 2. How do you stay mindful of and focused on your life vision? By what means do you calm and re-center yourself – that enables you to gain and maintain an awareness of your vision? Some effective methods for calming and centering: Meditation, prayer, chanting/singing, affirmation, visualization, physical disciplines such as Hatha Yoga, Tai Chi, breathing exercises, creative movement and dance, gardening, walking, painting/drawing/sculpting, running, nature reflection, certain forms of athletic exercise. Identify the method that works for you and practice it daily as a part of your self-transforming discipline. 10 Exercise I Visualize yourself as a fully developed Montessori teacher you. See yourself within the classroom acting with poise and purpose. See your ideal environment with abundant and beautiful materials. See children discovering and developing themselves through positive interactions with one another and the prepared environment. Conduct this visualization on a daily basis at night before bed and/or just before the start of your teaching day. Exercise II Conduct the above visualization exercise with challenging children you may have in the class. Visualize the child in the context of your classroom behaving and learning in a manner that represents a realistic next step in their learning and development. 11 Hummingbird Master Teachers are aware of the unity of the joy in being a unique, individual aspect of life 12 The Hummingbird Like the Hummingbird I will be, Dashing, darting joyfully, From bloom to bloom throughout the day, Only beauty makes me stay . . . But a moment here I dwell, Drawing nectar from the well Of life’s wonders great and small, Savoring good in one and all. Feeling joy in every cell, I find it in the world as well. 13 Hummingbird Allies Seeks and finds joy in life’s experiences Has an open and loving heart Delights in the wonders of living Enjoys bringing people together Practical Idealist Perceives the beauty in the world and appreciates its many expressions Disdains ugliness and harshness - flees from discord and harmony Accepts everything and everyone - non-judgmental Ability to remain relaxed through life’s experiences Experiences a sense of exhalation about each new day and event in life Freedom to be one’s self See a colorful variety in life’s experiences Adversaries Closed and hardened heart – buries feelings Can be hard and unforgiving towards self and others Inability to see the gifts of life that surround them Unwilling to focus on the positive and abundance; sees only negative and lack Avoids or denies pain Complains and whines about things Resists the lessons in life’s painful experiences Feels tense and uncomfortable through most of life’s experiences Often feels overwhelmed and exhausted Tends to be controlling or controlled Feels threatened by freedom, leisure, or too many choices Tends to be judgmental about others Obsessed by the need to follow rules Sees life experiences in black and white 14 II. Hummingbird Master Teachers are aware of the unity of the joy in being a unique, individual aspect of life Self-Inquiry and Exercises 1. How sound is your self-esteem? 2. Upon what is your self-worth based? How you feel How you perceive your actions and interactions What you have accomplished personally and professionally How you perceive your body and physical fitness How healthy you are How positive and fulfilling your relationships are How prosperous you are What kind of clothes, car, home, and “toys“ you have How intelligent and how articulate you are How at peace you are How on track with your life vision you are How in touch with joy you are How connected to family and friends you are How empowered you feel to direct your own destiny How uniquely individual you feel 3. Amid the ups and downs of life how much faith, love, peace, courage, and confidence can you muster and maintain? 4. Can you perceive opportunities for learning and self improvement in mistakes, conflict, and failure? 5. Can you delight in the “beauty of the present” even as the “pain of the past” and the “specter of the future” vie for your attention? 15 Exercise I Through daily and deep affirmations and visualizations, acknowledge the inimitable uniqueness and goodness of your being. “The exquisite melody of my being fills the universe with its beauty and boldness, ever enhancing the grand symphony of life.” Exercise II Focus on your unique talents and abilities – those thoughts, feelings, beliefs, abilities, and activities that bring you joy and inspiration. Celebrate the individuality of yourself. Exercise III Practice finding joy in the moment by being mindful of the simple expressions of the natural world: sunrise or sunset, a bee drinking from a flower, a butterfly, puppies or kittens playing, a spider spinning a web, the flight of a bird. 16 Porcupine Master Teachers experience trust and become playful in their interactions with life 17 The Porcupine Like the Porcupine I will be, Ambling, rambling playfully, Upon the Earth with all my friends, Happy child til the end. In trust and innocence I roam, Everywhere I find a home, Everyone is family, Every moment’s made for me. Everywhere I stop to play . . . I find more love along the way. 18 Porcupine Allies Sense of humility Has a playful attitude Exhibits a sense of innocence Trusts oneself and others Open to opportunities for personal growth Gentle and non-aggressive Inspires a sense of playfulness in others Wants everyone to succeed Success is equated with having fun Enjoys a healthy, positive relationship to the past Is honest about their emotions Adversaries Demands concrete proof of things; uncomfortable with faith and feelings Tends to be self-protective and resistant to new experiences Bound by cultural traditions and family patterns Has a painful and negative relationship to the past Responds to challenging situations anxiously and reactively Has a over inflated sense of self-importance Over-personalizes experiences Exhibits behaviors of denial and defensiveness Perceives life’s challenges as overwhelming Stuck in negative habits of thinking and behavior Misses “golden” opportunities Is a fatalist Does not know how to pause to “smell the roses” 19 III. Porcupine Master Teachers experience trust and become playful in their interactions with life Self-Inquiry and Exercises 1. How trusting are you? Of your own feelings and intuition Of your eventual success and fulfillment Of other people’s intentions and interests Of the ability of children to know and grow on their own Of the capacity of the universe to show you what you need to learn at the moment when you need to learn it Of the capacity of the universe to provide you with the resources you need to move on at the moment you are ready to make use of them 2. How accepting are you of your emotions and feelings? How much do you try to deny or control your feelings? How much do you indulge in and addict yourself to your feelings? 3. How serious are you? How playful are you? Do you have the capacity to clown around? Do you take time to “Smell the roses” and dilly-daily with the seeet and simple things in life? Or do you forever drive yourself to stay on task and complete your daily “To Do” list? Can you at will get out of your head and into the wonder and innocence of your “inner child”? 20 Exercise I Go play with your children in the playground! No teaching, no supervising, no disciplining. (Let someone else do it) Have fun, be silly, be inventive, let go! Exercise II Work/play with the Montessori materials on your own – with or without the children present. Do something you truly love to do. Create your own playful extensions and variations. Exercise III Role-play/pantomime (humorously) with the children Exercise IV Make up your own songs and dances to your or existing music Exercise V Play an innocent but riotous practical joke on someone every week – and be sure to ask someone to try one on you once a week! 21 Fox Master Teachers transform their observations of life into personal awareness 22 The Fox Like the Fox I will be, Watching, waiting, quietly . . . Observing life invisibly. Watching thoughts and feelings flow, Watching people come and go, Watching for that moment when I spring to action from the glen. Decisive, swift, and sure am I, Ever savvy, ever sly. 23 Fox Allies Able to observe and remain unnoticed Adapts effectively to changing situations Good strategist Decisive in thought and action Drawn to protect the family or community – selflessness Senses people’s underlying motives and thoughts Anticipates events and circumstances Integrates self easily in social and community settings Adversaries Tends to be selfish me-centered Tends to misunderstand/misinterpret acts of others Self deprecating Tends to be impulsive or make foolish choices Can be apathetic or passive Can be overly conspicuous, blunt, obtuse Egotistical and grandiose, exaggerated self-importance Experiences fight or flight duality in relation to conflict with others At times slow or unable to respond to circumstance/challenges Feels awkward in community or social settings Feels uncomfortable with their own body or natural settings Unaware of the impression they make on others 24 IV. Fox Master Teachers transform their observations of life into personal awareness Self-Inquiry and Exercises 1. How readily do you give yourself permission to stand back and observe the processes of life? Your thoughts Your feelings Your breathing Your physical movements The children Other teachers Your assistant/aide The parents with their children Events of the natural world 2. The founder of Taoism, Lao-Tzu said, “The way to do is to be” and “The greatest revelation is stillness.” Similarly the Christian scriptures state, “Be still and know that I am God.” Human consciousness has the ability o silently “witness” the processes of life and thereby learn from them, laugh at them, and love them. So why do we find this quiet observational state so terribly difficult to access and maintain? We have lost the art of simple being. As John Bradshaw aptly puts it, “We are no longer human beings, but rather “human doings’.” 25 Exercise I Practice various observational exercises in an effort to silence mental and emotional ‘chatter’. Watch the breath as it moves in and out of the body Move about in slow motion and observe in detail your every physical movement. Focus on one body part at a time. Watch the sun rise or set for five to ten minutes. Every time the mind erupts with thought of wanders away from the image of the sunrise/sunset, gently bring it back to the present moment. Observe a candle and conduct the same exercise as above. Exercise II Take time/make time in your daily teaching schedule, create space and silence in your consciousness to observe the children in your class. Stand back and enjoy the process and learn from it. 26 Bear Master Teachers transform personal awareness, through honest introspection, into purposeful action 27 The Bear Like the Bear I will be, Meditating inwardly, On my life, it’s form and flow, In wintery silence I shall go . . . Into the cave of introspection, There to plan my resurrection In the spring, when born anew, With fresh dreams I am imbued. Envisioning my life to be, I gather in what’s meant for me. 28 Bear Allies Introspective about self and one’s purpose Seeks to understand personal truth Uses meditative silence to assimilate and plan Conscious of personal goals Objective in self examination Detached in the process of setting and acting on personal goals Persistent and persevering Displays intensity of focus and unbending intent Seeks material resources to further one’s growth Adversaries Easily distracted from examining and pursuing personal goals Acts out of fear and desire Uncomfortable with silence or meditative activities Sense of confusion-unclear about life’s purpose and mission Easily led and influenced by others agendas Seeks truth outside oneself Does not reflect on purpose, progress, or circumstances Seeks material reward for its own end Works compulsively Overactive emotions and thoughts – over stimulated Does not follow-through with goals, objectives, or plans Subjective in self examination 29 V. Bear Master Teachers transform personal awareness, through honest introspection, into purposeful action Self-Inquiry and Exercises 1. Do you spend time everyday in calm reflection? Do you review the events of the day in order to see and get a sense of: What felt right, in tune, harmonious, effective? What felt out of tune, inharmonious, ineffective? What supported your vision and development and what did not? What supported the children’s development and what did not? 2. Do you mentally review each child every day, at least for a few minutes? 3. Do you take time everyday to plan, visualize, affirm, feel the attitudes and actions that will improve your attunement, harmony, and effectiveness with regard to your integrity, vision, and relations with children and others? 30 Exercise I Write down a behavioral objective for yourself. “I have the ability to patiently, peacefully observe the process of my classroom – without attachment, fear, anger, or the need to control – and thus enjoy it and learn from it.” At the conclusion of your teaching day, review and reflect on the process of the day to see how you fared in relation to your objective. Visualize/affirm/feel yourself absorbing and expressing your behavioral objective BEFORE the next teaching day. Exercise II Perform the same process as Exercise I targeting specific behavioral/learning needs of individual children in your class. Exercises III Calmly review with individual children who are experiencing behavioral and learning challenges the actions that led to their current emotional discomfort and/or the pain of logical or natural consequences. Help the child posit a plan of action in the context of the classroom that helps set a positive behavioral goal. 31 Crow Master Teachers become aware of universal principles of cause and effect and transform themselves to be in harmony with the laws of life 32 The Crow Like the Crow I will be, Shimmering with integrity, Though black as night, I dance with light. Aligned with law in sacred trust, I “caw” to order what is just, I see each cause and sure effect, Where thought and action intersect. In my power I now stand The laws of life at my command. 33 Crow Allies Acts with integrity Takes responsibility for thoughts and actions Strong understanding of order Understands the laws of cause and effect – karma Understands present and future implications of thought and actions Understands the importance of self honesty Knows how to apply the law to thought and actions Seeks justice for self and others Adversaries Obsessed with the letter of the law Sees self as a victim Refuses to take responsibility for thoughts and actions Acts out of emotional investment Blind to consequences of thought and actions Tends to blame/accuse self and others Tries to skirt the law Deludes oneself about inner or outer conditions 34 VI. Crow Master Teachers become aware of universal principles of cause and effect and transform themselves to be in harmony with the laws of life Self-Inquiry and Exercises 1. Do you take responsibility for the attitude/feelings you have about the thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and conditions you are currently experiencing in your life? Or do you place responsibility for the feelings and effects of these forces and conditions on people and events outside of yourself? 2. Do you believe you are capable of taking charge of and directing the course of your thoughts, feelings, actions, and life conditions? 3. A Newtonian principle of physics is: “For every action there exists an equal and opposite reaction.” Do you believe in the “human affairs” corollary to this law – i.e., the law of karma? Every thought, feeling, word, and deed according to its degree of attunement with universal law, either attracts harmony, energy, and abundance – OR dissipates/blocks personal peace, energy, and material resources.” 35 Exercise I Take a circumstance in your life that is causing you discomfort, pain, and suffering. Ask yourself, “What is this circumstance symbolic of? What is the universe trying to teach me? What law of being has been disregarded or misused to bring about this circumstance? What law of being must I attune myself to and apply to rectify this circumstance or condition? Exercise II Through role-playing and discussing with children the cause and effects of various beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors help them to identify the Principles of Being and Conduct that lead to harmony, happiness, and empowerment. 36 Owl Master Teachers see through the illusion of consensus reality and perceive the essence of learning and life 37 The Owl Like the Owl I will be, Through the darkness I can see, Through deception, through delusion, Piercing all of life’s illusions. Diving through the deepest night, To where the Truth is burning bright, Through dense forests and dark fields, Where All Wisdom stands revealed. Tearing every veil free, I feast upon Reality! 38 Owl Allies Sees through self delusion and others self deception Sees through the ulterior motives of others Applies innovative thinking to life’s circumstances and challenges Perceives alternative planes of consciousness Self empowerment attained through significant inner work Patient Focused in action Ability to integrate experiences from past, present, and future Takes charge of and creates one’s life Perceives Unity Adversaries Easily deceived by self and others Tends to misuse one’s powers to deceive self or others Lack of discernment/discrimination Mechanistic/empirical - not comfortable with alternative states of awareness Linear, inflexible thinking Overly literal in thinking Impatient Molded by conformity, influenced by consensus thinking Perceives randomness and chaos 39 VII. Owl Master Teachers see through the illusion of consensus reality and perceive the essence of learning and life Self-Inquiry and Exercises 1. How facile are you at perceiving the truth/the positive/the lesson/the need – behind the veils of: Your own feelings and emotions The feelings and emotions of others Negative circumstances and conditions Pain and suffering 2. How able are you to peer into the darkness of pain, inharmony, anxiety, fear, anger, and conflict to perceive the light of learning, the voice of truth that is reaching out to you? 3. Do you believe that pain and conflict, fear and anxiety are bad and should be avoided and denied? Or do you actively embrace the “discomfort zones” of life and plumb their depths to find hidden treasures of personal transformation? 40 Exercise I Practice observing and reflecting upon the nature of illusion: i.e., “What we normally perceive may vary according to our perspective in time and space.” Get absorbed in a movie (at the theater), then focus on the light from the projection booth that is creating the powerful imagery on the screen. Observe ice cubes placed in a pot of hot water melting and merging with the water in the pot. Practice asking yourself when you observe or interact with an angry child or adult – “what human need is not being met?” Stand beside a large oak tree. Hold in one hand an acorn. Hold in the other hand a clump of dirt. Visualize/feel the image of the oak tree living within the acorn, evolving to full form and returning eventually to become earthsoil. Reflect on the indisputable fact of physics that even the hardest objects in the universe are composed primarily of space – very few particles and ultimately no particles at all – but only oscillations of light energy. Exercise II Scale down and concretize exercises in physical and human illusion for young children, i.e., give children the experience of seeing through illusions – emotional, social, physical, and intellectual. 41 Mountain Lion Master Teachers by bold and innovative action lead themselves and others toward self-empowerment 42 The Mountain Lion Like the Mountain Lion will be, Boldly bounding gracefully . . To great heights that none have dared, To great depths where none have fared. Leading brothers to believe, Helping sisters to achieve, The noble purpose of their birth – Bestow their gifts upon the Earth. Majestic elder of the pride, Intrepid Spirit is my guide. 43 Mountain Lion Allies Utilizes personal power with integrity and unbendable intent Respects power in himself and others Leads by modeling and mentoring Perceives all as potential leaders Balances the various aspects of power-intent, strength, grace, sensitivity Conserves energy-reserves power for the moment of need Sense of duty without personal desire Promotes peace Knows the truth; speaks the truth; lives the truth Responds with poise and perceptiveness to change conditions and circumstances Exudes self confidence based on effective use of power Adversaries Usurps power from others Tends to be tyrannical Believes one’s own ideas and accomplishments hold the greatest value Avoids or obsesses on power/authority Lack of courage in times of challenge/crisis Suffers from feelings of powerlessness Relinquishes power to others Tends to get panicky or paralyzed Can be the victim of abusive power or the abuser Hypocritical Excessively indulgent-wastes or leaks personal energy Uses power to create conflict Seeks leadership for the sake of control and power Afraid to use one’s personal power 44 VIII. Mountain Lion Master Teachers by bold and innovative action lead themselves and others toward self-empowerment Self-Inquiry and Exercises 1. How daring, how bold are you in thought, feeling, and action? 2. How creative, how innovative are you? 3. Have you given yourself permission to explore and experiment with new and novel processes of learning in your own life and with the Montessori Method? Or are you bound by rules, rigidity, and tradition? 4. How often do you attempt a new approach with the Montessori materials when you are working with a behaviorally challenging or “developmentally challenged” child? 5. How often do you experiment with new variations and extensions with traditional Montessori materials? 6. How bold and creative are you with behavioral strategies? 7. Do you encourage the children in your class to venture into new experiments, exploration, expressions with the Montessori exercises? If how so? 45 Exercise I Take an unengaged/uninterested child and try a new, bold application of a Montessori exercise in an effort to awaken their interest. Exercise I Take a Montessori exercise that you have never been able to get excited about – or the children either – and present it in some innovative and novel manner. Exercise III Take a piece of Practical Life or Sensorial apparatus and create an extension/variation that increases the “difficulty factor” or “imagination factor” significantly. Exercise IV Take a task/activity/project in your personal life that you have secretly believed you were to afraid, too weak, too unskilled to attempt or accomplish. A new fitness or athletic program An artistic venture/project A business venture/project A new, meaningful relationship Personal therapy/counseling Additional education/training Overcoming a self-limiting personal habit or addiction 46 Jonathan is an internationally recognized educational consultant, trainer, and author. He has served the education community as a classroom teacher, parent educator, teacher trainer, school administrator, consultant, and coach for over forty years. His entertaining and interactive programs, humorous and inspiring teaching style, and his deep insight into the needs of children are valued by schools, families, and educational organizations throughout the world. Jonathan Wolff provides consulting, coaching, and training services for public and private schools, teacher education programs, child care and parenting organizations throughout the world. Jonathan’s staff development programs, parent education presentations, school retreats, and “Best Practice” publications provide learning experiences in which character and academic excellence flourish, teacher effectiveness is enhanced, parent-child relationships are nurtured, and collaborative organizational culture is established. For additional information contact Jonathan at 760-473-8344. 47