The ABCs of Organic Teaching

Absorbable
Believable
Current
Depth
Engaging
Flourishing
Growth
Humor
Intrinsic
Jaggy
Kaleidoscope
Living
Mature
New
Open
Playful
Quake-worthy
Real
Sincere
Truth
Understanding
Viable
Wild
Young
Zealous

Turbine Teaching

Conception, MO.

140-foot blades sliced the air 
like the wings of a mammoth bird 
fear and wonder

I stood n the shadow,
Put a hand to my forehead and looked up,
at the stark white pinwheel
that towered 200 feet above me.

Floaties, little bits of dandelions and trees,
appeared to be flying off the top,
sparkling in the bright sunshine.

The sound stopped.
“Is it finished?” I asked my guide.
“No, just turning,” she pointed.
“The wind probably changed direction.”
I looked up in awe as the entire top swiveled.
“The blades even change their pitch
to generate the most power possible.”

---

​Is teaching like that?
Are we the windmill?
We turn and mold our delivery
To gather the most possible power
from our students
No matter where they are coming from
Or going to.

Are we the wind blowing information
   in a steady stream?
Our students adapt and maximize
   and utilize what’s needed
To glean information and retain knowledge
No matter what form it is given
Or what is expected of them.

I think we need to begin by being the windmill
Flexing to meet our students needs,
   framing the picture so they see it.

We need to end with being the
wind
Our students standing tall and strong
Equipped, confident and able
To take on the challenges
    of what comes next
adapting to generate a life of power.

​                                                       By Kim Blevins