Presence… A Key to Teacher Peace

When I was a new principal, I took my teenager to work with me on Take Your Daughter to Work Day. Before school started, as usual, I was buzzing up and down the hallways, checking on classrooms and teachers. As I passed a teacher, parent, or student, I quickly blurted, “Hi - How are you?” And then I kept on going. Rushing around every morning always left me feeling a bit frazzled.

When we got back to the office, my daughter probed, “Mom, Do you know that you ask people how they’re doing, but you never stop to hear the answer?” The truth stung a little, but she was right. From that day on, I made a commitment to stop and be fully present with the person in front of me. I committed to listening with genuine care and curiosity. That commitment strengthened my relationships, and it helped the people I led feel seen and valued. Stronger relationships brought me satisfaction as a leader, but practicing being present brought me other benefits as well.

The Costs of Being Someplace Else

I realized how often my body was one place while my mind was someplace else. I would be thinking about something that happened earlier in the day, yesterday, last week, or even last year. Getting stuck in the past sometimes brought feelings of anger, regret, or shame. Occasionally, my thoughts would turn nostalgic, and I would long for an earlier time, when I was a classroom teacher or when my own kids were little. Thinking about the past kept me from appreciating the now. I was missing present moments of joy and connection, and I wasn’t effectively noticing and dealing with current needs.

Other times, my thoughts would shift to the future, full of worry and anxiety about what might happen. Most of the time, the things I worried about never happened. It turns out, I’m terrible at predicting the future, and it was a waste of energy to entertain those thoughts. Thinking about the future as potentially better than today wasn’t helpful either. Deciding I’ll be happy when something changes kept me from being happy in the moment. I was missing all the goodness in the now.

The Benefits of Presence

Being fully present is still a challenge, even with years of practice. It takes intention and focus, but it brings greater peace and productivity. What are the benefits of being where your feet are?

Improved Relationships - When you're fully present with others, it shows that you value them and what they have to say. This fosters deeper connections and stronger support.

Enhanced Focus - Being present allows you to concentrate fully on the task at hand, increasing productivity and effectiveness in your work and other activities.

Reduced Stress - Mindfulness reduces stress by helping you let go of thoughts about the past or future, which may cause anxiety or frustration. By focusing on the present moment, you can alleviate unnecessary tension.

Increased Enjoyment - When you're fully present, you can fully appreciate and enjoy the experiences you're having, whether spending time with loved ones, enjoying nature, or pursuing a hobby. And teaching is more enjoyable when you are fully present with your students.

Better Decision-Making - Being present allows you to make decisions based on the current situation rather than being clouded by past experiences or future uncertainties. When you are fully present, you are better able to gather helpful information for better decisions.

Heightened Awareness - Mindfulness increases your awareness of yourself and your surroundings, leading to a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Knowing who you are and how you are is essential to teaching with authenticity and purpose.

How to Practice Being Present

In the hectic and demanding life of a teacher, being fully present isn’t easy. Incorporating some simple daily practices can train your brain to stay in the moment.

Mindful Breathing - Take a few moments each day to focus on your breath. Notice the sensations of each inhale and exhale. When your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breath.

Body Scan - Conduct a body scan to bring awareness to each part of your body, from head to toe. Notice any areas of tension or discomfort and practice releasing that tension with each exhale.

Mindful Walking - Take a mindful walk, paying attention to each step and the sensations in your feet as they touch the ground. Notice the sights, sounds, and smells around you without getting caught up in thoughts about the past or future.

Mindful Listening - Practice active listening in conversations by giving your full attention to the speaker without interrupting or formulating your response in advance. Notice the tone of their voice, facial expressions, and body language.

Presence Brings Peace

Being fully present means being completely engaged and attentive to the current moment, without being distracted by thoughts about the past or worries about the future. When you are fully present, you are fully immersed in what you are doing or experiencing, whether it's having a conversation, teaching a lesson, or enjoying family and friends. Fully embracing the present moment means accepting it for what it is, without judgment or resistance. This acceptance can bring a profound sense of peace because you are no longer fighting against reality or wishing things were different. Overall, being fully present allows you to experience life more deeply and fully, leading to greater peace, contentment, and fulfillment. Your presence is a present to yourself and the people you teach, lead, and love.

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