Finding pockets of peace within the chaos.

‘Finding pockets of space’ is a phrase used gratuitously in the world of sports punditry. These are elusive defence-disturbing locations that only the most creative find. These elite players operate within space that others didn’t know was there. They work ‘between the lines,’ such that no conventional formation can mitigate against them. In a crowded midfield, these players locate and exploit undetectable regions, within which they ‘have all the time in the world’ and make ‘the game look easy.’ Just for fun, take a look at this punditry-parody.

Who are you running with?

Within teaching, finding pockets of peace alongside dear colleagues and friends is of immeasurable value.

Teaching has always afforded opportunity for shared journeys and deep connections with colleagues around you. A friend at work and I coined the phrase ‘pockets of peace‘ to describe the moments of calm amidst the mess of school life. These are all the more important when the busy-ness of school life is compounded by any other area of change or circumstance, including career transition.

Back in September 2018, I was starting the school year waiting for (hoping for) the safe arrival of my premature daughter. After a summer of twice-weekly scans, we knew that the longer she could wait the better… but for us not knowing what the forthcoming weeks would look like, this built huge tension and concern. This was a tough start to an academic year; vision-casting assemblies, team meetings, criticism from parents (often the result of hurt or mis-directed frustration), learning walks, book trawls and ‘deep dives’ don’t stop for anyone. Yet it is amazing what you can do in the name of professionalism and vocation. Of course, this resilience is not limited to teachers.

Pockets of peace! They need to be sought, found and protected… and they look different for different people. They are often easier found around those gem-like people who smile regularly and encourage you. Find these people! As I reflect, for me they commonly take the form of fun and humour that brings lightness and perspective to all of the moving parts around. These were the first smile-inducing thoughts that came to mind:

• Walking into a colleague’s class, stone-faced, to deliver a message before whispering ‘you are a ‘sick’ teacher’ and leaving with the same stone-face (no-one over the age of 16 should use this phrase, unless it is central to a ‘pocket.’)
• Introducing the Head of Maths to a new year seven class as ‘the most important person in your mathematical career, savour this moment students.’
• Announcing to the PE department that ‘I have just ‘smashed’ a two-sided, 2-in-1 multi-shot, A4 to A5 booklet with centre staples photocopying session – no sample copy, no wastage.’
• Waiting on the classroom door on a Friday afternoon with my colleagues beckoning students with straight-faced, ‘Come with me if you want to learn!’ (Come With Me If You Want to Live – YouTube)
• Having to ‘double-up’ with a colleague for wet-weather PE and encouraging the blissfully unaware students to ‘Pivot!’ in a basketball match. (Friends: Pivot! (Clip) | TBS – YouTube)
• Coffee.

These are wonderful work and life-enriching moments. How brilliant to reflect on them.

Find pockets of peace and savour them alongside your running mates.

Matthew, Founder of Wood Writes Words