Overview

"Authentic teaching is messy, exciting, frustrating, joyful, challenging—and sacred. ""Through stories, information and reflection, we [will look] inward, going more deeply into the discovery of who we are, not only as teachers but also as women and men for whom teaching is only a part of life. I believe the deepest calling … is the call to be who we truly are."" —from Chapter Seven, “Teaching Who We Are” Beloved teacher Rev. Jane E. Vennard leads an inner exploration of the hopes and fears, joys and frustrations, gifts and limitations that influence teachers of all kinds—teachers like you—every day. Drawing on her own experience as well as stories from many teachers in conventional and unconventional settings, she inspires you to reconnect to your original desire to open minds and hearts to learning. With reflection questions, practices and activities, she helps you reinvigorate your passion for your vocation, your students and your subject, thus recognizing how teaching is a sacred art."

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9781683363286

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Reviews

Required reading for any teacher. Jane's insights ... are profound, challenging and inspiring. The spiritual dimension that she brings to this inquiry is the antidote for teacher burn-out. --Gary Friedman, Center for Understanding in Conflict/Center for Mediation in Law; author, Inside Out: How Conflict Professionals Can Use Self-Reflection to Help Their Clients Truly a book for all who teach, at any level and in any subject.... Pivotal and persuasive ... the reader comes away with a clear sense that those traits and practices by which we become most authentically human allow us to become uniquely effective teachers. --Marjorie J. Thompson, author; Soul Feast: An Invitation to Christian Spiritual Life A masterful meditation on teaching as a sacred art. With the gentle guidance of an experienced teacher, [this book] will enrich your life and may wholly transform your perspective on education. --E. Glenn Hinson, Emeritus Professor of Spirituality and John Loftis Professor of Church History, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond One of the finest books I've read on the vocation of teaching as a journey to deeper self-knowing. Eloquent and informative. --Diane M. Millis, PhD, author, Deepening Engagement: Essential Wisdom for Listening and Leading with Purpose, Meaning and Joy Teaching is a tough job; Jane Vennard shows us how to make it a blessed calling as well. --Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice An intimate exploration of the deepest contours of one's soul. For both self-identified teachers and would-be teachers ... offers a challenge to view teaching as a life-long journey of discovery. --Arthur C. Jones, clinical professor of culture and psychology, University of Denver; author, Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals Extraordinary! The exquisite weaving of insights and stories illuminates a sacred teaching in Islam: the teacher kindles the light; the oil is already in the lamp. --Imam Jamal Rahman, author, Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla's Comic Teaching Stories and Other Islamic Wisdom

Required reading for any teacher. Jane's insights ... are profound, challenging and inspiring. The spiritual dimension that she brings to this inquiry is the antidote for teacher burn-out. --Gary Friedman, Center for Understanding in Conflict/Center for Mediation in Law; author, Inside Out: How Conflict Professionals Can Use Self-Reflection to Help Their Clients Truly a book for all who teach, at any level and in any subject.... Pivotal and persuasive ... the reader comes away with a clear sense that those traits and practices by which we become most authentically human allow us to become uniquely effective teachers. --Marjorie J. Thompson, author; Soul Feast: An Invitation to Christian Spiritual Life A masterful meditation on teaching as a sacred art. With the gentle guidance of an experienced teacher, [this book] will enrich your life and may wholly transform your perspective on education. --E. Glenn Hinson, Emeritus Professor of Spirituality and John Loftis Professor of Church History, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond One of the finest books I've read on the vocation of teaching as a journey to deeper self-knowing. Eloquent and informative. --Diane M. Millis, PhD, author, Deepening Engagement: Essential Wisdom for Listening and Leading with Purpose, Meaning and Joy Teaching is a tough job; Jane Vennard shows us how to make it a blessed calling as well. --Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice An intimate exploration of the deepest contours of one's soul. For both self-identified teachers and would-be teachers ... offers a challenge to view teaching as a life-long journey of discovery. --Arthur C. Jones, clinical professor of culture and psychology, University of Denver; author, Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals Extraordinary! The exquisite weaving of insights and stories illuminates a sacred teaching in Islam: the teacher kindles the light; the oil is already in the lamp. --Imam Jamal Rahman, author, Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla's Comic Teaching Stories and Other Islamic Wisdom Required reading for any teacher. Jane's insights are profound, challenging and inspiring. The spiritual dimension that she brings to this inquiry is the antidote for teacher burn-out. Gary Friedman, Center for Understanding in Conflict/Center for Mediation in Law; author, Inside Out: How Conflict Professionals Can Use Self-Reflection to Help Their Clients Truly a book for all who teach, at any level and in any subject . Pivotal and persuasive the reader comes away with a clear sense that those traits and practices by which we become most authentically human allow us to become uniquely effective teachers. Marjorie J. Thompson, author; Soul Feast: An Invitation to Christian Spiritual Life A masterful meditation on teaching as a sacred art. With the gentle guidance of an experienced teacher, [this book] will enrich your life and may wholly transform your perspective on education. E. Glenn Hinson, Emeritus Professor of Spirituality and John Loftis Professor of Church History, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond One of the finest books I ve read on the vocation of teaching as a journey to deeper self-knowing. Eloquent and informative. Diane M. Millis, PhD, author, Deepening Engagement: Essential Wisdom for Listening and Leading with Purpose, Meaning and Joy Teaching is a tough job; Jane Vennard shows us how to make it a blessed calling as well. Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice An intimate exploration of the deepest contours of one s soul. For both self-identified teachers and would-be teachers offers a challenge to view teaching as a life-long journey of discovery. Arthur C. Jones, clinical professor of culture and psychology, University of Denver; author, Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals Extraordinary! The exquisite weaving of insights and stories illuminates a sacred teaching in Islam: the teacher kindles the light; the oil is already in the lamp. Imam Jamal Rahman, author, Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla s Comic Teaching Stories and Other Islamic Wisdom Teaching The Sacred Art (recommended book) How many of our students have a history of being told they were slow learners or not good at math, ridiculed for asking questions, or made fun of when they responded incorrectly?... Our students may need healing before they can engage the subject matter at any heartfelt level. Rev. Jane E. Vennard, Teaching The Sacred Art: The Joy of Opening Minds & Hearts Teaching The Sacred Art helps us: recognize the challenges faced by both learners and teachers; acknowledge ways in which we do and don't have responsibility for what happens in our classrooms; and find the strength to keep engaging with our subjects and our students. When we gently review a day, a week, or a semester of our teaching with compassion and kindness toward ourselves, we are able to see what we might do differently another time and affirm that we did the best we could, given the situation. Chapter One discusses the nature of vocation and gives examples of teachers on very different career paths. The next chaptershows how creating a safe and supportive environment can bring out the best in both learners and teachers. Engaging students kindly can include being strict, demanding and challenging.Our authority is enhanced rather than undermined by a kind attitude, for students respect teachers who treat them with kindness. Chapter Three is about the importance of keeping our own sense of curiosity and wonder so that we can share a love of learning with our students. Chapter Four encourages us to: listen as much as we speak; engage learners through finding a personal connection to the material; and promotediscussion in our classrooms rather than debate. This is followed by an explanation of the difference between authority and power; claim[ing] authority, not to control [students], but to establish an environment of respect and caring that [is] conducive to learning. Chapter Six discusses how to recognize and transform our shadows. We all have unique shadows, but there are a few common shadows that many teachers share striving for perfection, fearing interruptions and surprise, and believing our own and others' projections. In Chapter Seven (Teaching Who We Are), Vennard quotes revered Buddhist monk and teacher Thich Hhat Hanh: Our own life has to be our message. Each chapter ends with questions for Looking Inward, Going Deeper, which would be appropriate for journaling or discussion. You can see the full list of questions atskylightpaths.com. (Click on Discussion Questions. ) Here are a few examples: Recall a time you had to struggle to learn something you needed to know. What was it like to persevere? Did you give up? Were you tempted to give up? Did anyone encourage you? Try to rescue you? What did you learn from the experience? Have you had teachers who loved their subjects? What was it like to learn from them? What do you love about your subject and what do you love about teaching it? Describe how you claim authority in the classroom How has your approach to claiming authority evolved over your years of teaching? For more information, you can read an author interview about the book atwww.skylightpaths.com.(Click on author Q & A. )--Catharine Hannay Mindful Teachers (09/06/2015) Jane Vennard, who is profiled in [Spirituality & Practice]'s Living Spiritual Teachers Project, offers lectures and leads retreats in ecumenical settings in the United States, Canada and Australia. She is ordained to a ministry of teaching and spiritual direction in the United Church of Christ. She is also the author of several books on prayer and Fully Awake and Truly Alive. For Vennard, teaching is a sacred art and people are called to it as a vocation. Or as Jungian analyst James Hollis put it: We may choose careers but we do not choose vocation. Vocation chooses us. What does this entail? It is about sharing our gifts and being of service in the world. Respect, challenge and kindness are the foundations of the sacred art of teaching. These are amplified and sustained by teachers as they speak passionately with wonder about subjects they love. There is a transformative power in the teaching-learning process that comes alive in telling stories, asking questions, and listening well. Vennard discusses the heavy-duty dimensions of claiming authority by letting go of control and doing the inner work of dealing with our shadows. Teaching The Sacred Art by Jane Vennard is an evergreen resource filled with wisdom for teachers of all stripes as well as lifelong learners.--Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice (09/01/2015) Teaching The Sacred Art (recommended book) How many of our students have a history of being told they were slow learners or not good at math, ridiculed for asking questions, or made fun of when they responded incorrectly?... Our students may need healing before they can engage the subject matter at any heartfelt level. Rev. Jane E. Vennard, Teaching The Sacred Art: The Joy of Opening Minds & Hearts Teaching The Sacred Art helps us: recognize the challenges faced by both learners and teachers;acknowledge ways in which we do and don't have responsibility for what happens in our classrooms; andfind the strength to keep engaging with our subjects and our students. When we gently review a day, a week, or a semester of our teaching with compassion and kindness toward ourselves, we are able to see what we might do differently another time and affirm that we did the best we could, given the situation. Chapter One discusses the nature of vocation and gives examples of teachers on very different career paths. The next chaptershows how creating a safe and supportive environment can bring out the best in both learners and teachers. Engaging students kindly can include being strict, demanding and challenging.Our authority is enhanced rather than undermined by a kind attitude, for students respect teachers who treat them with kindness. Chapter Three is about the importance of keeping our own sense of curiosity and wonder so that we can share a love of learning with our students. Chapter Four encourages us to: listen as much as we speak;engage learners through finding a personal connection to the material; andpromotediscussion in our classrooms rather than debate. This is followed by an explanation of the difference between authority and power; claim[ing] authority, not to control [students], but to establish an environment of respect and caring that [is] conducive to learning. Chapter Six discusses how to recognize and transform our shadows. We all have unique shadows, but there are a few common shadows that many teachers share striving for perfection, fearing interruptions and surprise, and believing our own and others' projections. In Chapter Seven (Teaching Who We Are), Vennard quotes revered Buddhist monk and teacher Thich Hhat Hanh: Our own life has to be our message. Each chapter ends with questions for Looking Inward, Going Deeper, which would be appropriate for journaling or discussion. You can see the full list of questions atskylightpaths.com. (Click on Discussion Questions. ) Here are a few examples: Recall a time you had to struggle to learn something you needed to know. What was it like to persevere? Did you give up? Were you tempted to give up? Did anyone encourage you? Try to rescue you? What did you learn from the experience?Have you had teachers who loved their subjects? What was it like to learn from them? What do you love about your subject and what do you love about teaching it?Describe how you claim authority in the classroom How has your approach to claiming authority evolved over your years of teaching? For more information, you can read an author interview about the book atwww.skylightpaths.com.(Click on author Q & A. )--Catharine Hannay Mindful Teachers (09/06/2015)

Required reading for any teacher. Jane's insights ... are profound, challenging and inspiring. The spiritual dimension that she brings to this inquiry is the antidote for teacher burn-out. --Gary Friedman, Center for Understanding in Conflict/Center for Mediation in Law; author, Inside Out: How Conflict Professionals Can Use Self-Reflection to Help Their Clients Truly a book for all who teach, at any level and in any subject.... Pivotal and persuasive ... the reader comes away with a clear sense that those traits and practices by which we become most authentically human allow us to become uniquely effective teachers. --Marjorie J. Thompson, author; Soul Feast: An Invitation to Christian Spiritual Life A masterful meditation on teaching as a sacred art. With the gentle guidance of an experienced teacher, [this book] will enrich your life and may wholly transform your perspective on education. --E. Glenn Hinson, Emeritus Professor of Spirituality and John Loftis Professor of Church History, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond One of the finest books I've read on the vocation of teaching as a journey to deeper self-knowing. Eloquent and informative. --Diane M. Millis, PhD, author, Deepening Engagement: Essential Wisdom for Listening and Leading with Purpose, Meaning and Joy Teaching is a tough job; Jane Vennard shows us how to make it a blessed calling as well. --Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice An intimate exploration of the deepest contours of one's soul. For both self-identified teachers and would-be teachers ... offers a challenge to view teaching as a life-long journey of discovery. --Arthur C. Jones, clinical professor of culture and psychology, University of Denver; author, Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals Extraordinary! The exquisite weaving of insights and stories illuminates a sacred teaching in Islam: the teacher kindles the light; the oil is already in the lamp. --Imam Jamal Rahman, author, Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla's Comic Teaching Stories and Other Islamic Wisdom Required reading for any teacher. Jane's insights are profound, challenging and inspiring. The spiritual dimension that she brings to this inquiry is the antidote for teacher burn-out. Gary Friedman, Center for Understanding in Conflict/Center for Mediation in Law; author, Inside Out: How Conflict Professionals Can Use Self-Reflection to Help Their Clients Truly a book for all who teach, at any level and in any subject . Pivotal and persuasive the reader comes away with a clear sense that those traits and practices by which we become most authentically human allow us to become uniquely effective teachers. Marjorie J. Thompson, author; Soul Feast: An Invitation to Christian Spiritual Life A masterful meditation on teaching as a sacred art. With the gentle guidance of an experienced teacher, [this book] will enrich your life and may wholly transform your perspective on education. E. Glenn Hinson, Emeritus Professor of Spirituality and John Loftis Professor of Church History, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond One of the finest books I ve read on the vocation of teaching as a journey to deeper self-knowing. Eloquent and informative. Diane M. Millis, PhD, author, Deepening Engagement: Essential Wisdom for Listening and Leading with Purpose, Meaning and Joy Teaching is a tough job; Jane Vennard shows us how to make it a blessed calling as well. Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice An intimate exploration of the deepest contours of one s soul. For both self-identified teachers and would-be teachers offers a challenge to view teaching as a life-long journey of discovery. Arthur C. Jones, clinical professor of culture and psychology, University of Denver; author, Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals Extraordinary! The exquisite weaving of insights and stories illuminates a sacred teaching in Islam: the teacher kindles the light; the oil is already in the lamp. Imam Jamal Rahman, author, Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla s Comic Teaching Stories and Other Islamic Wisdom Teaching The Sacred Art (recommended book) How many of our students have a history of being told they were slow learners or not good at math, ridiculed for asking questions, or made fun of when they responded incorrectly?... Our students may need healing before they can engage the subject matter at any heartfelt level. Rev. Jane E. Vennard, Teaching The Sacred Art: The Joy of Opening Minds & Hearts Teaching The Sacred Art helps us: recognize the challenges faced by both learners and teachers; acknowledge ways in which we do and don't have responsibility for what happens in our classrooms; and find the strength to keep engaging with our subjects and our students. When we gently review a day, a week, or a semester of our teaching with compassion and kindness toward ourselves, we are able to see what we might do differently another time and affirm that we did the best we could, given the situation. Chapter One discusses the nature of vocation and gives examples of teachers on very different career paths. The next chaptershows how creating a safe and supportive environment can bring out the best in both learners and teachers. Engaging students kindly can include being strict, demanding and challenging.Our authority is enhanced rather than undermined by a kind attitude, for students respect teachers who treat them with kindness. Chapter Three is about the importance of keeping our own sense of curiosity and wonder so that we can share a love of learning with our students. Chapter Four encourages us to: listen as much as we speak; engage learners through finding a personal connection to the material; and promotediscussion in our classrooms rather than debate. This is followed by an explanation of the difference between authority and power; claim[ing] authority, not to control [students], but to establish an environment of respect and caring that [is] conducive to learning. Chapter Six discusses how to recognize and transform our shadows. We all have unique shadows, but there are a few common shadows that many teachers share striving for perfection, fearing interruptions and surprise, and believing our own and others' projections. In Chapter Seven (Teaching Who We Are), Vennard quotes revered Buddhist monk and teacher Thich Hhat Hanh: Our own life has to be our message. Each chapter ends with questions for Looking Inward, Going Deeper, which would be appropriate for journaling or discussion. You can see the full list of questions atskylightpaths.com. (Click on Discussion Questions. ) Here are a few examples: Recall a time you had to struggle to learn something you needed to know. What was it like to persevere? Did you give up? Were you tempted to give up? Did anyone encourage you? Try to rescue you? What did you learn from the experience? Have you had teachers who loved their subjects? What was it like to learn from them? What do you love about your subject and what do you love about teaching it? Describe how you claim authority in the classroom How has your approach to claiming authority evolved over your years of teaching? For more information, you can read an author interview about the book atwww.skylightpaths.com.(Click on author Q & A. )--Catharine Hannay Mindful Teachers (09/06/2015) Jane Vennard, who is profiled in [Spirituality & Practice]'s Living Spiritual Teachers Project, offers lectures and leads retreats in ecumenical settings in the United States, Canada and Australia. She is ordained to a ministry of teaching and spiritual direction in the United Church of Christ. She is also the author of several books on prayer and Fully Awake and Truly Alive. For Vennard, teaching is a sacred art and people are called to it as a vocation. Or as Jungian analyst James Hollis put it: We may choose careers but we do not choose vocation. Vocation chooses us. What does this entail? It is about sharing our gifts and being of service in the world. Respect, challenge and kindness are the foundations of the sacred art of teaching. These are amplified and sustained by teachers as they speak passionately with wonder about subjects they love. There is a transformative power in the teaching-learning process that comes alive in telling stories, asking questions, and listening well. Vennard discusses the heavy-duty dimensions of claiming authority by letting go of control and doing the inner work of dealing with our shadows. Teaching The Sacred Art by Jane Vennard is an evergreen resource filled with wisdom for teachers of all stripes as well as lifelong learners.--Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice (09/01/2015) Teaching The Sacred Art (recommended book) How many of our students have a history of being told they were slow learners or not good at math, ridiculed for asking questions, or made fun of when they responded incorrectly?... Our students may need healing before they can engage the subject matter at any heartfelt level. Rev. Jane E. Vennard, Teaching The Sacred Art: The Joy of Opening Minds & HeartsTeaching The Sacred Art helps us: recognize the challenges faced by both learners and teachers;acknowledge ways in which we do and don't have responsibility for what happens in our classrooms; andfind the strength to keep engaging with our subjects and our students. When we gently review a day, a week, or a semester of our teaching with compassion and kindness toward ourselves, we are able to see what we might do differently another time and affirm that we did the best we could, given the situation. Chapter One discusses the nature of vocation and gives examples of teachers on very different career paths. The next chaptershows how creating a safe and supportive environment can bring out the best in both learners and teachers. Engaging students kindly can include being strict, demanding and challenging.Our authority is enhanced rather than undermined by a kind attitude, for students respect teachers who treat them with kindness. Chapter Three is about the importance of keeping our own sense of curiosity and wonder so that we can share a love of learning with our students.Chapter Four encourages us to: listen as much as we speak;engage learners through finding a personal connection to the material; andpromotediscussion in our classrooms rather than debate.This is followed by an explanation of the difference between authority and power; claim[ing] authority, not to control [students], but to establish an environment of respect and caring that [is] conducive to learning. Chapter Six discusses how to recognize and transform our shadows. We all have unique shadows, but there are a few common shadows that many teachers share striving for perfection, fearing interruptions and surprise, and believing our own and others' projections. In Chapter Seven (Teaching Who We Are), Vennard quotes revered Buddhist monk and teacher Thich Hhat Hanh: Our own life has to be our message. Each chapter ends with questions for Looking Inward, Going Deeper, which would be appropriate for journaling or discussion. You can see the full list of questions atskylightpaths.com. (Click on Discussion Questions. ) Here are a few examples: Recall a time you had to struggle to learn something you needed to know. What was it like to persevere? Did you give up? Were you tempted to give up? Did anyone encourage you? Try to rescue you? What did you learn from the experience?Have you had teachers who loved their subjects? What was it like to learn from them? What do you love about your subject and what do you love about teaching it?Describe how you claim authority in the classroom How has your approach to claiming authority evolved over your years of teaching?For more information, you can read an author interview about the book atwww.skylightpaths.com.(Click on author Q & A. )--Catharine Hannay Mindful Teachers (09/06/2015)

Required reading for any teacher. Jane's insights are profound, challenging and inspiring. The spiritual dimension that she brings to this inquiry is the antidote for teacher burn-out. Gary Friedman, Center for Understanding in Conflict/Center for Mediation in Law; author, Inside Out: How Conflict Professionals Can Use Self-Reflection to Help Their Clients Truly a book for all who teach, at any level and in any subject . Pivotal and persuasive the reader comes away with a clear sense that those traits and practices by which we become most authentically human allow us to become uniquely effective teachers. Marjorie J. Thompson, author; Soul Feast: An Invitation to Christian Spiritual Life A masterful meditation on teaching as a sacred art. With the gentle guidance of an experienced teacher, [this book] will enrich your life and may wholly transform your perspective on education. E. Glenn Hinson, Emeritus Professor of Spirituality and John Loftis Professor of Church History, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond One of the finest books I ve read on the vocation of teaching as a journey to deeper self-knowing. Eloquent and informative. Diane M. Millis, PhD, author, Deepening Engagement: Essential Wisdom for Listening and Leading with Purpose, Meaning and Joy Teaching is a tough job; Jane Vennard shows us how to make it a blessed calling as well. Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice An intimate exploration of the deepest contours of one s soul. For both self-identified teachers and would-be teachers offers a challenge to view teaching as a life-long journey of discovery. Arthur C. Jones, clinical professor of culture and psychology, University of Denver; author, Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals Extraordinary! The exquisite weaving of insights and stories illuminates a sacred teaching in Islam: the teacher kindles the light; the oil is already in the lamp. Imam Jamal Rahman, author, Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla s Comic Teaching Stories and Other Islamic Wisdom

Author Information

Rev. Jane E. Vennard, a popular teacher on prayer and spiritual practice, offers lectures and leads retreats in ecumenical settings in the United States, Canada and abroad. She is the author of several books, including Fully Awake and Truly Alive: Spiritual Practices to Nurture Your Soul and Teaching—The Sacred Art: The Joy of Opening Minds & Hearts (both SkyLight Paths), and a long-time active member of Spiritual Directors International. She is ordained in the United Church of Christ to a ministry of teaching and spiritual direction. Rev. Jane E. Vennard is available to speak on the following topics: Fully Awake and Truly Alive: Spiritual Practices to Nurture Your Soul Spiritual Practice: A Way of Life Spiritual Practices for the Second Half of Life The Art of Teaching Spiritual Practice Spiritual Practices in the Ministry of Spiritual Direction Click here to contact the author.

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