Teacher's Journal

Kathleen Adams, MA, LPC is one of the leading voices in the field of expressive and therapeutic writing. A psychotherapist and registered poetry/journal therapist, she founded the Center for Journal Therapy in 1988. She is the author/editor of nine books on expressive writing and the series editor for the It’s Easy to W.R.I.T.E. Expressive Writing series for Rowman & Littlefield.Marisé Barreiro is from the province of Pontevedra in Spain, is a Gestalt therapist specializing in creativity with 20 years’ experience as a middle school and high school English teacher. She leads workshops on self-discovery through writing in Galicia and Madrid. This is her first book.

Themes, blessings, praise, ritual, wander, flame, magic. Who wouldn’t love a guide that embraces so many positive ways to rediscovering our authentic teaching selves? The authors, along with the teachers who let us peek into their journals, give us permission to set the papers aside, put down the red pen, and turn off the voices. Then come the moments—the ones that brought us here, and the ones that keep us coming back. Through insightful prompts and snippets from teachers’ journals, we remember why we started this journey, recall where we have been along the way, and rethink the paths we imagine for ourselves and our students. When life becomes so hectic and routine that we forget who we are and how we’ve come to be, The Teacher’s Journal reels us back in, allows us to swim in our pasts, presents, and futures, and emerge anew. It’s an immediate sabbatical, and a gift of profound beauty.

• PrefaceForeword by Stevi Quate, Ph.D.1. Why Write?Why Write?It’s Easy to W.R.I.T.E.Suggestions for Satisfying Writing2. The Roots of My StoryOnce Upon a TimeWarm-Up Writes01. A Teacher Who Made a Difference02. My Earliest Learning/TeachingReflections3. Evolutions of TeachingEvolutionsWarm-Up Writes03. Teaching Timeline04. Themes, Patterns, Metaphors05. Exploring an Evolution StoryReflections4. Rituals and RoutinesRituals That Help or HurtWarm-Up Writes06. Captured Moments of Routine07. What Am I Famous For?08. Stressing Out09. A Good Rant10. Self-Care Action PlanReflections5. ListeningListening Warm-Up Writes11. Character Sketch of a Student12. Character Sketch of Myself as Student13. The Quality of My Listening14. Dialogue with My Student of All Times15. A Gift for MeReflections6. Time Out for BlessingsAdvice into BlessingsWarm-Up Writes16. My Truest Wisdom17. A Blessings Poem18. A Story about a BlessingReflections7. Confronting the Inner CriticThe Inner CriticWarm-Up Writes19. Character Sketch of My Inner Critic20. Talking Back to the Critic21. A Praise Poem to MyselfReflections8. Pushing Back The PusherWarm-Up Writes22. The Pusher’s List23. Letting My Mind Wander24. Who Am I When I Am Not Doing?25. My Heart’s List26. Self-IndulgenceReflections9. Tending the FlameThe Love of KnowledgeWarm-Up Writes27. A Collage of the Flame28. A Letter of Gratitude29. Tending the FlameReflections10. BecomingBecomingWarm-Ups30. Magic Carpet Ride31. Expressing My Highest Potential32. My Next StepReflections11. The End and the BeginningEndingsWarm-Up Writes33. The End and the BeginningReflections12. Facilitator’s GuideStarting a Teacher’s Journal Writing GroupThis Group CARES!The Four Stages of Expressive Writing GroupsFacilitation PlanningFacilitation Tips and TechniquesCurriculum for Teacher’s Journal Writing GroupReferencesGratitudesAbout the Authors