The students in my elective class capped off the semester by making their own MyIntent bracelets, using a bracelet-making kit I’d found and purchased online years ago. After participating in a number of reflection activities meant to help each student identify a word that captures an idea or goal that has importance to him or her, I demonstrated how to use the letter stamps to pound the word on a metal washer fashioned onto a leather cord tied with a slip knot. To prepare for their bracelet-making session, I rooted around in my treasures to find the bracelet I had made years ago when the kit had first arrived. I wanted to show the kids the imperfections in my final product and reassure them that “perfection” was not the goal. I would emphasize that a slightly crooked letter here or there adds character and makes the bracelets uniquely their own .
When I did find my bracelet, I studied the word I had chosen a few years back…”Enough.” Seeing that word reminded me of all the reasons I had picked it for my intention. It was long enough ago that I had just returned to teaching after suffering a massive stroke and I wanted to believe that I was fully recovered and well “enough” to be effective. It was long enough ago that I was still working for a principal who didn’t see my value and created a tension-filled school climate. It was also long enough ago that test scores and data analysis were seemingly the only subjects of focus during our meetings and professional development. I’d had enough! I was done feeling undervalued and I was done myopically focusing on test scores. My pounding the word, “enough,” on my bracelet was a promise to myself. And wearing it each day to school empowered me to move forward with my own agency.
On the day we started making our bracelets in class this spring, I did show the kids mine and told them about wanting to feel fully recovered. I told them I wanted to be “enough”. They listened and thought about their own words–words of intention. It was then that I was struck with the realization that maybe wearing that “enough” bracelet had worked its magic. Here I was, after all, teaching a class I’d designed under the leadership of a principal who valued me. Also, I’m working as a retired educator so I’m no longer required to attend those after school meetings or professional development. I don’t even know if they’re pouring over those copious data charts!
Yes! It all feels like more than enough!
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