Teaching priorities
The role of the teacher is an important one. Working with
youth is both exciting and challenging, and asks that we have
a wide variety of talents. Below is a list of areas to focus
on as teachers in the Lineage Project. The primary goal of
our classes is to show that it is more satisfying to live
a life of helping to relieve suffering than it is in causing
more suffering. The practices we offer are in this spirit.
The goal is to meet the kids where they are at, and to encourage
a life of meaning and purpose, one that invites them to live
not just for themselves, but for the benefit of all people.
Focus on the positive
If there are a number of kids not doing an exercise, bring
attention to the ones that are doing it and focus on them.
Make it so that you are asking them to step up their behavior
by showing them what gets positive reinforcement. Most the
youth are often told what is wrong with them, and what behavior
they need to change, and they rarely hear positive feedback
of any kind. It is important to acknowledge and reinforce
any genuine effort.
Follow Through with Consistency
Make every attempt to follow through with what you say.
If you set ground rules for the class, make sure you adhere
to them consistently and not just follow them randomly.
If you tell a kid that you will answer his questions later
or come back to him, make sure you do so. Make every effort
to be clear as and consistent as possible.
Awareness, Wisdom, and Compassion
We use awareness practices, such as meditation and yoga,
but the goal is to extend the same mindfulness to whatever
we do, to infuse with spirit and care all of our actions.
The program is meant to bring forth three main qualities:
awareness, wisdom, and compassion. Awareness includes the
body and mind, their internal and external environments.
Wisdom in terms of what creates more suffering in the world
and what relieves it -- seeing the repercussions of greed
and anger, and the benefits of generosity and understanding.
Compassion first for themselves and their situation, and
then to the loved ones in their lives, and eventually to
the world.
Feel what is Present
Take attention to make real contact with the youth. See
them not only as “bad” kids, but as people looking
for happiness. Feel what is in the room when you enter.
Notice the tendency to go into auto pilot or “instructor
mode.” It is easy to teach a class and lose sight
of the direct contact that is in many ways the heart of
what we can offer. Make an effort to see and acknowledge
the youth for who they are. This often happens non-verbally.
Use Positive Language
Youth are very sensitive to language. It is important to
use positive language that reinforces a sense of strength
and ability. Use language that inspires them and avoid language
that either calls or implies that they are stupid or dumb.
We have no idea what many of them are going through, and
we want to plant seeds through our words that reinforces
positive qualities. Take care in how you reprimand a youth
and if a youth needs to kicked out of class, do so in a
direct but understanding way.
It’s not Personal
Know that their behavior in your class is nothing personal
against you. Some of these youth have faced struggles and
abuse that is beyond our understanding. Most come from extreme
poverty and one-family homes. Some are kids born with mothers
on crack or other drugs. Much has happened to them that
makes it hard to sit still. Know that their behavior is
not a personal disrespect of you, but partly comes from
the background they have had and from being a teenager.
They need to give a basic respect in the class, but we also
need to be sensitive to what their situation is.
Group Consciousness
The consciousness of a group is extremely important. Groups
can both add enormous support and be something that shames.
Great concern should be taken not to shame or disrespect
a youth in front of his or her peers, but to bring forth
the wisdom and support of the group. If you need to reprimand
a youth, take the youth aside and speak to him or her one-on-one.
If you need to reprimand a youth in the group, do so with
great attention and care.
Allow Humor
A teacher who can laugh, both at life and at him or herself,
is a great example. Humor can be a great way to connect
with the youth. It is good to avoid any humor that is used
to put someone else down, but instead to invite humor among
the youth and the teachers that helps us to lighten our
mind, body, and heart.
Embody the practices
Youth watch what you do more than what you say, so it is
important that we embody the practices that we offer. Do
we embody awareness, wisdom, and compassion, or do we try
to push it down their throats and are talking about something
we are not doing? It is good to carry ourselves in ways
that reinforce these qualities. This is just as important
before or after a class as it is during a class.
Be Real
Honesty with ourselves and with the youth is essential.
Only offer practices that you have enough experience with
and can offer from a genuine place. Be honest with yourself
about how you are doing and what you are experiencing in
the class. Do not be afraid to acknowledge that you do not
know something or that you are frustrated. At times it may
be appropriate to share the truth of your own experience
with youth. Be mindful as to when this is appropriate.
