After a whirlwind of travelling many places, staying for a week (or less) at a time before heading to the next place, it was time to slow down. Railay Beach is a small village that on the south tip of Thailand, only accessible by boat. There are no cars or traffic in Railay and really consists of two main paths. As the name suggests, the main part of Railay Beach is in fact, its two stunning beaches. Both beaches are set in between tall limestone cliffs and boast beautiful white sand. I knew I wanted to focus on my coursework, and Railay seemed like the perfect option. I stayed in Railay Beach for three weeks. I would devote my mornings to school, then take a break and head to the beach. Honestly, it was a pretty perfect time. I was really able to sit in the moments of calm.
In teaching there aren't too many moments of calm. There are so many curricular expectations in teaching, not to mention the work that goes into creating and maintaining a functional classroom environment. As teachers we are constantly making decisions and having to solve problems, which is exhausting. This is why it is important to look for and create these moments of calm within our classroom. Sometimes we need to take a step back from our curricula agenda and give our students space to communicate their emotions. As teachers we can open moments where listening is the first priority. Giving students time to listen to themselves through reflection, and also listening to their classmates is a way to provide moments of calm. It is important for teachers to build these moments into our day, because they don't always happen on their own.
The moments of calm found on the beach may be few and far between in my regular life, but I certainly plan on being more mindful in how I create space for them within my classroom.
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