15: My Classroom

My practice has formed the basis of my teaching. I teach courses in holistic education, spirituality in education, and contemplative education. Most of these are graduate courses for teachers although I have also taught a course in holistic education for preservice teachers.

I start my courses by going over the syllabus and then arranging the chairs in a circle which is the basic structure for the rest of the course. Sitting in a circle goes back to Indigenous peoples and I believe that the circle provides a healing environment. Emerson (1990) called the circle the “first of all forms” (p. 189). There are no tables or desks, so the class goes “topless” with no computers in front of the students. I suggest that students do not take notes unless someone says something that they need to write down. All of this is done so students are present to one another. I talk about the importance of presence as a key to building community in the classroom and I also try to be present as much as possible during the class.