Wick

When a thing is wick it has a light around it

Maybe not a light that you can see

But hiding down below a spark's asleep inside it

Waiting for the right time to be seen

From the Broadway show The Secret Garden with Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman

In our go-go world of "this needed to get done yesterday" it is often easy to overlook the importance of small moments of human kindness, manners and issues of social etiquette. Added pressure to adhere to deadlines can make robots out of even the sweetest folk. Smiles as you pass in the corridors may be replaced with the concentration of self involved introspection. Not only do you neglect to say "Hello", you actually do not even 'see' anyone or anything else but the task afore ye. Establishing a courteous, thoughtful work environment that allows for a bit of stopping to smell the roses generally starts with those who are leading, whether it be in a business or a family.

Building a sense of community among coworkers cannot be underestimated. Once there is trust, with everyone reading off the same page, petty differences or misunderstandings melt away to the periphery. The remaining structure is strong. The work gets done. Folks are happy. Stop, breathe...this too shall pass.

In the midst of all of our preparations during the first two days of school before the students arrive we had to attend several meetings. It can not be emphasized enough that NO ONE WANTS TO BE THERE. All anyone wants to do is dig into setting up and preparing their classrooms for which there never seems to be ample time. Although to our Principal, Rebecca, and Assistant Principal, Dave's credit this year we were given more time than I can ever remember in years past.

So, "Bravo" for that.

And "Bravo" for this...

Visualize the setting if you can. A late morning meeting in the cafeteria (or canteen as my Australian friend Max would say) complete with a breakfast spread of assorted bagels, cream cheese, butter, coffee and tea. Low rumblings of voices are only overpowered by the even larger rumblings of the air conditioning units overhead. Rebecca steps forward to welcome us and rolls out a large rather odd looking plant that is kinda like Aloe Vera but not. Well, she said it was in that 'family' but I do not know the name of it.

Rebecca shares with us that each new school year she takes a small slip or clipping from a plant, gets a new clay pot, some 'clean' dirt (that last bit made me laugh. Rather an oxymoron but I get the point) and creates a new plant. This is symbolic of growth and development.

Her love of nature is well known to us so we all think "Oh, that's sweet", "What a good idea", etc. Then another cart is wheeled out with bags of 'clean' dirt, boxes containing clay pots and more of these strange looking plants.

Now it is our turn to pinch off a segment and plant. But before we do we are invited to think of one word that will symbolize our teaching or attitude this year. One idea that will be our touchstone.

People call out words like:

Joy

Creativity

Growth

Patience

Serendipity

While all of this is happening my colleague Zack (pictured left) comes up with the Taj Mahal of words and asks me if he should say it. I said "Of course!" His was a perfect word to describe our role as a teacher. Instead of just calling it out he steps to the front of the room and shares this word...

Wick

This is followed by a brief description: Wick in this context is about seeing more in the child than they may be showing. It is about potential and belief. It is a way of viewing children that is positive, encouraging and supportive. This reminds us that not all children are the same, that they learn in different ways and that we must be thoughtful in our lessons and interactions. It also states that ALL children are to be cherished.

I wish I had thought of it.

CODA: I went in to work today which is officially the first day of school. Before I headed down to meet my new class I took a quick picture of the plant that will represent the WICK in my classroom. This little guy is there to remind me to look beyond the mundane trappings of day to day routine and search for the magic within each student.

When a thing is wick and someone cares about it

And comes to work each day like you and me...