Nancy Oelklaus is someone who understands all the stresses and strains of an educator.  In her book, Alphabet Meditations for Teachers, she provides teachers with a way to refocus themselves and prepare for a new day in the classroom.  Filled with numerous gentle and rhythmic meditations, Oelklaus addresses all those dark thoughts teachers have, but are too ashamed to admit.  Her writing is brutally honest, and in that way, gives the reader a chance to also be honest with him or herself.  The selections in the book focus on various difficult aspects of a teacher’s job, such as respecting diversity, changing instruction when results aren’t being achieved, grading, noise control, enforcing rules, and determining what students really need to know.  The meditation that focuses on parent-teacher relationships will ring true with every educator, especially the passage that reads, “Give me the grace not to be defensive when they attack, but to calmly and confidently explain myself to them.”  Oelklaus understands the worries of a teacher like only a teacher could.

There is also a guide for using these meditations as a professional development activity included in the back of the book.  This could be a relaxing and rewarding way to bond with your colleagues.  It would make an excellent gift for anyone involved with children on a consistent basis, as its underlying messages speak of loving children for their differences and giving them the best we have.