Silence. Just by looking at the word I can feel its power. Silence is such a treasure, and to teach its value to my young students is quite the challenge. A teacher’s environment is naturally noisy. It should be. Chatter means communication is happening…and communication is a key component in life. The challenge comes to play when the communication or thought process of others becomes interrupted. This is the struggle many of the young humans in my classroom go through everyday…the self-monitoring of their own desires to talk, to share, no matter what environment they are in or what is going on around them. To truly listen, we must practice silence. To truly focus on certain tasks, we must practice silence. Silence not only allows us to listen intently to others, but to also listen deeply to what is within us. Silence can make the difference between confusion and enlightenment. A Japanese architect once said, “you don’t necessarily get silence from an environment that is silent…you feel silence when you expect noise”…and for me, in particular, this man describes silence perfectly. The next time silence has descended upon you, marvel at its superpower. Watch what silence does and listen to what silence is trying to say.

Embrace. A word with such a powerful figurative connotation. Embrace life. Embrace a challenge. Literally, an embrace (also known as a hug) is just as powerful. Hugs, at times, have immeasurable power. They can break down barriers otherwise impenetrable. Growing up in an environment of countless hugs, kisses and cuddles, I knew I was loved. I knew was cared for. I knew I was important. As time went by, I made sure to hug, kiss and cuddle my own family…in hopes that someday they do the same with theirs.  Yet there is another environment where hugs are hugely important…school. When I have given hugs at school, I make sure I ask my student if it is ok, and once given, a special connection is made…if only for a moment.    An embrace can start and stop tears.  An embrace can relieve frustration and also express pride.  An embrace can be a motivator and can be celebratory.  As a teacher an embrace can communicate a powerful message: I am here for you, I care for you as a human, you are not just a student to me.  These meaningful moments have taught me to never underestimate the power of a hug.  Next time, no matter where you are, when the moment is right and when the need is there, embrace the power of a hug.  It too, can be a superpower.  

Invisibility.  A superpower that I wish I had since I was very young.  I could sneak backstage into concerts and see my favorite musicians up close.  I could sneak into a World Cup Final and watch the soccer game on the sidelines.  I could also travel for free (as long as there is an empty seat on the plane). I could disappear when I don’t want to be found, to breathe and disconnect.  I mean, invisibility… I could even fight crime, right?!  But there are days…there are days when some of my students make me feel invisible. This is when invisibility doesn’t seem like such a superpower.  Invisible when I say good morning. Invisible when I have something important to share. Invisible when I want to share instructions to an activity. Invisible when I want to teach them something new.  Invisible. So I stop and think. Why? Why is what I am sharing, explaining, teaching, not important enough for these students to listen?  What am I doing that makes it be worth ignoring? Is it me? Is it them?  The age-old battle of trying to comprehend these young humans that walk into my classroom everyday.  I have been honest with them, and I have told them I feel invisible at times.  That grabs their attention.  I stop being invisible then. I realize I have just shared something negative, something sad.  That grabs their attention.  Is that who we are as humans?  Only really, truly listening when something is negative?  When it is bad news?  When we are complaining?  When we enter an argument? When our students do something wrong? Does this mean the good in the world feels invisible too?  Does this mean we allow for positive accomplishments to often turn invisible as well? Why do negative behaviors become so easily visible?  It is as if negativity is the invisibility cloak of positivity.  So as I write this, I realize…I realize invisibility is a choice, not a superpower.  Therefore I choose NOT to be invisible.  I choose to be visible as I say good morning with a smile.  I choose to be visible when I share good news.  I choose to be visible when I give instructions and teach.  I know someone can see me and hear me…and slowly, to those who might not see me, maybe my invisibility cloak will soon stop working, and they will see me too.    Visible.  That is the superpower I wish for now.