Hello,
I have been a teacher in an inner city public school setting for
many years. Three years ago I began attending constellations
conducted by Dr. Andy Stuck in Columbus Ohio. It immediately became
apparent that many of the young children in my care were bringing to
school with them a great deal of hurt and need.
After many discussions I decided to take the training program
offered last year. Since then it has been my hope and plan that I
can integrate into my classroom many of the ideals inherent in
systemic solutions. Given the conditions of teaching in a public
school system and respecting those conditions, I have chosen to
introduce concepts of orders in our everyday interactions.
I understand that these are not classic constellations, however the
young age of the children, 7-8 years, and the privacy concerns it
has been necessary for me to do what I can given the circumstances.
In a nutshell, these have been our experiences.
- A great effort was made to bring the families into the classroom,
and keep them present throughout the year. This was done by having
the parents send in family photos. These were first shared then
displayed under a clear plastic desk cover. The desk served as a
general supply center for the students. A popular area.
- The language of the orders has become commonplace. I talk with
them about time and space, give and take, about belonging and
conscience.
- I have used the idea of helping statements and cadence to move
through some difficult classroom conflicts. This is very well
received and has allowed me to offer a solution with mutual respect.
- I have had the children learn to express their wants and what
their lives would be like were things to change. We do this through
writing and sharing if they choose.
- We have used analogies and metaphors to help them understand their
respective place in a huge family system, and that their place will
always be theirs.
There have been many more successful applications of the family
systems work within my classroom. Again, no formal constellations
have been attempted, however any teacher knows how necessary it is
to prepare the children and the environment for something as new and
foreign as this. It is my plan to continue moving toward
implementing these orders in whatever way possible to benefit these
children and ultimately their families.
Thank you all for your thoughts. Lyn
