Authentic teaching is messy, exciting, frustrating, joyful, challenging—and sacred.
"Through stories, information and reflection, we [will look] inward, going more deeply into the discovery of who we are, not only as teachers but also as women and men for whom teaching is only a part of life. I believe the deepest calling … is the call to be who we truly are."
—from Chapter Seven, “Teaching Who We Are”
Beloved teacher Rev. Jane E. Vennard leads an inner exploration of the hopes and fears, joys and frustrations, gifts and limitations that influence teachers of all kinds—teachers like you—every day. Drawing on her own experience as well as stories from many teachers in conventional and unconventional settings, she inspires you to reconnect to your original desire to open minds and hearts to learning. With reflection questions, practices and activities, she helps you reinvigorate your passion for your vocation, your students and your subject, thus recognizing how teaching is a sacred art.
"Required reading for any teacher. Jane's insights … are profound, challenging and inspiring. The spiritual dimension that she brings to this inquiry is the antidote for teacher burn-out."
—Gary Friedman, Center for Understanding in Conflict/Center for Mediation in Law; author, Inside Out: How Conflict Professionals Can Use Self-Reflection to Help Their Clients“Truly a book for all who teach, at any level and in any subject…. Pivotal and persuasive … the reader comes away with a clear sense that those traits and practices by which we become most authentically human allow us to become uniquely effective teachers.”
—Marjorie J. Thompson, author; Soul Feast: An Invitation to Christian Spiritual Life“A masterful meditation on teaching as a sacred art. With the gentle guidance of an experienced teacher, [this book] will enrich your life and may wholly transform your perspective on education.”
—E. Glenn Hinson, Emeritus Professor of Spirituality and John Loftis Professor of Church History, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond“One of the finest books I’ve read on the vocation of teaching as a journey to deeper self-knowing. Eloquent and informative.”
—Diane M. Millis, PhD, author, Deepening Engagement: Essential Wisdom for Listening and Leading with Purpose, Meaning and Joy“Teaching is a tough job; Jane Vennard shows us how to make it a blessed calling as well.”
—Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice“An intimate exploration of the deepest contours of one’s soul. For both self-identified teachers and would-be teachers … offers a challenge to view teaching as a life-long journey of discovery.”
—Arthur C. Jones, clinical professor of culture and psychology, University of Denver; author, Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals“Extraordinary! The exquisite weaving of insights and stories illuminates a sacred teaching in Islam: the teacher kindles the light; the oil is already in the lamp.”
—Imam Jamal Rahman, author, Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla’s Comic Teaching Stories and Other Islamic Wisdom
Introduction
Chapter One
Called to Teach: Discovering Our Vocation
Listening for the Call
Hearing and Living the Call
Vocation in Religious Settings
Call as Spiritual Journey
An Authentic Call
Risky Business
Called to a Purposeful Life
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Chapter Two
Engaging Our Students and Colleagues: Respect, Challenge, and Kindness
Honoring Students' Innate Wisdom
Discovering Multiple Intelligences
Teaching to Multiple Intelligences
Respect for the Struggle
Creating a Safe and Hospitable Environment
Engaging Kindly
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Chapter Three
Love of Subject, Love of Learning: Communicating Excitement and Wonder
The Learner Within
When the Subject Is Alive
Trusting the Learners' Needs
The Continually Shifting Center
Lifelong Learning
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Chapter Four
Using Sacred Language: Telling Stories, Asking Questions, and Listening Well
The Languages We Use
Exploring the Power of Personal Language
Recognizing the Differences between Dialogue and Debate
Learning to Listen, Honoring Silence
Expanding Our Use of Questions and Answers
Living the Questions
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Chapter Five
Claiming Our Authority by Letting Go of Control
Examining the Differences between Authority and Power
Sharing Responsibility for Teaching and Learning
Letting Go by Offering Choices
Reimagining Power
Finding Your Own Way to Be in Charge
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Chapter Six
Attending to Our Inner Landscape: Seeing, Embracing, and Transforming Our Shadows
Embracing Our Shadows
Paying Attention to Our Inner Landscape Leads to Authenticity
Common Shadows in Teachers' Lives
Striving for Perfection
Fearing Interruptions and Surprise
Believing Our Own and Others' Projections
Being Realistic
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Chapter Seven
Teaching Who We Are: Honoring Our Unique Gifts
The Deepest Call Is to Be Who We Are
Growing in Integrity and Authenticity
Discovering Our Own Treasures
Simplicity
Patience
Compassion
Liberation
Love
Gratitude
Wisdom
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Acknowledgments
Notes
Suggestions for Further Reading
Authentic teaching is messy, exciting, frustrating, joyful, challenging—and sacred.
"Through stories, information and reflection, we [will look] inward, going more deeply into the discovery of who we are, not only as teachers but also as women and men for whom teaching is only a part of life. I believe the deepest calling … is the call to be who we truly are."
—from Chapter Seven, “Teaching Who We Are”
Beloved teacher Rev. Jane E. Vennard leads an inner exploration of the hopes and fears, joys and frustrations, gifts and limitations that influence teachers of all kinds—teachers like you—every day. Drawing on her own experience as well as stories from many teachers in conventional and unconventional settings, she inspires you to reconnect to your original desire to open minds and hearts to learning. With reflection questions, practices and activities, she helps you reinvigorate your passion for your vocation, your students and your subject, thus recognizing how teaching is a sacred art.
"Required reading for any teacher. Jane's insights … are profound, challenging and inspiring. The spiritual dimension that she brings to this inquiry is the antidote for teacher burn-out."
—Gary Friedman, Center for Understanding in Conflict/Center for Mediation in Law; author, Inside Out: How Conflict Professionals Can Use Self-Reflection to Help Their Clients“Truly a book for all who teach, at any level and in any subject…. Pivotal and persuasive … the reader comes away with a clear sense that those traits and practices by which we become most authentically human allow us to become uniquely effective teachers.”
—Marjorie J. Thompson, author; Soul Feast: An Invitation to Christian Spiritual Life“A masterful meditation on teaching as a sacred art. With the gentle guidance of an experienced teacher, [this book] will enrich your life and may wholly transform your perspective on education.”
—E. Glenn Hinson, Emeritus Professor of Spirituality and John Loftis Professor of Church History, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond“One of the finest books I’ve read on the vocation of teaching as a journey to deeper self-knowing. Eloquent and informative.”
—Diane M. Millis, PhD, author, Deepening Engagement: Essential Wisdom for Listening and Leading with Purpose, Meaning and Joy“Teaching is a tough job; Jane Vennard shows us how to make it a blessed calling as well.”
—Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice“An intimate exploration of the deepest contours of one’s soul. For both self-identified teachers and would-be teachers … offers a challenge to view teaching as a life-long journey of discovery.”
—Arthur C. Jones, clinical professor of culture and psychology, University of Denver; author, Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals“Extraordinary! The exquisite weaving of insights and stories illuminates a sacred teaching in Islam: the teacher kindles the light; the oil is already in the lamp.”
—Imam Jamal Rahman, author, Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla’s Comic Teaching Stories and Other Islamic Wisdom
Introduction
Chapter One
Called to Teach: Discovering Our Vocation
Listening for the Call
Hearing and Living the Call
Vocation in Religious Settings
Call as Spiritual Journey
An Authentic Call
Risky Business
Called to a Purposeful Life
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Chapter Two
Engaging Our Students and Colleagues: Respect, Challenge, and Kindness
Honoring Students' Innate Wisdom
Discovering Multiple Intelligences
Teaching to Multiple Intelligences
Respect for the Struggle
Creating a Safe and Hospitable Environment
Engaging Kindly
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Chapter Three
Love of Subject, Love of Learning: Communicating Excitement and Wonder
The Learner Within
When the Subject Is Alive
Trusting the Learners' Needs
The Continually Shifting Center
Lifelong Learning
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Chapter Four
Using Sacred Language: Telling Stories, Asking Questions, and Listening Well
The Languages We Use
Exploring the Power of Personal Language
Recognizing the Differences between Dialogue and Debate
Learning to Listen, Honoring Silence
Expanding Our Use of Questions and Answers
Living the Questions
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Chapter Five
Claiming Our Authority by Letting Go of Control
Examining the Differences between Authority and Power
Sharing Responsibility for Teaching and Learning
Letting Go by Offering Choices
Reimagining Power
Finding Your Own Way to Be in Charge
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Chapter Six
Attending to Our Inner Landscape: Seeing, Embracing, and Transforming Our Shadows
Embracing Our Shadows
Paying Attention to Our Inner Landscape Leads to Authenticity
Common Shadows in Teachers' Lives
Striving for Perfection
Fearing Interruptions and Surprise
Believing Our Own and Others' Projections
Being Realistic
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Chapter Seven
Teaching Who We Are: Honoring Our Unique Gifts
The Deepest Call Is to Be Who We Are
Growing in Integrity and Authenticity
Discovering Our Own Treasures
Simplicity
Patience
Compassion
Liberation
Love
Gratitude
Wisdom
Looking Inward, Going Deeper
Acknowledgments
Notes
Suggestions for Further Reading