' Look into your Soul" :A Reflective Classroom Teacher 8

Reflective thought has always been a part of my day as well. Long before I became a teacher, I had been introduced to the art of self-reflection. As a youth, I attended Catholic grade school. Each Friday, Sister Barbara, would transport our class from the school to the church so that we might go to confession. Before we started this forced march, we were all asked to put our heads on our desktops, close our eyes, and examine our consciences.
To jog our collective memories, Sister would read, from a small black book, a litany of sins that might be possible for a third grader to commit. We were all asked to organize our transgressions according to severity and intent. It was a wonderful exercise that I rather enjoyed. Examination completed, we proceeded to the confessional to tell Father our sins. I must say that the thought of telling another person my deepest thoughts was fearful for me as a child. I had the belief that my behavior was so unique and so very deviant. I overcame this fear however, because of the wonderful feeling I would experience once I left the confessional. I felt renewal and I felt whole once again. My spiritual-self was whole once again.
As an adult, I continue to go to confession but not always to a Priest. I persist in the habit of examination of my actions and my deeds. I still find it an insightful and a humbling experience and I always conclude the process with a resolve to be a better person. Although Dr. Ziebarth and I take different roads, our destination is the same. Honest self-reflection allows all of us to rid ourselves of those elements that are counter productive in our lives. It also fosters self-worth and this is an absolute necessity for all effective teachers.