Playing School

When I was little, while other kids played house, I preferred to play school. Instead of dolls and dishes and those wonderful little play kitchens I saw at my friends’ homes, I was happier with coffee cups filled with pencils, stacks of paper, rolls of scotch tape, and whatever crayons I could scrounge from around the house. Often, my sisters were the only playmates available to me and I somehow talked them into being my students. Truth be told, I might not have given them much choice, but they were fairly tolerant of my schemes. The school room could be a corner of the living room, or high up in our crooked tree house perched over the creek. One time I think I even set up space in the dog house, but that was quickly vetoed by both my sisters and the dog.

Interestingly, my fascination with teaching never seemed to extend to my career aspirations. That slot was filled early on. I knew from about age seven that I wanted to be a writer. In my wilder moments, I would also dream of illustrating my own books. However, no matter how much I loved my classes, or how excited I got about school supplies, I never identified with being a teacher. I didn’t chase after it as a career goal.

That doesn’t mean that it didn’t chase after me. Time after time, while pursuing other goals, I’d find myself taking on teaching roles, with students other than my long-suffering sisters. I was a TA  in graduate school, tutoring one-on-one, or setting up small groups to help panicked counseling students figure out statistics. To pick up extra cash one year, it seemed like a fun exercise to teach GRE prep courses. And after I finished my masters degree in counseling, I was not drawn to mental health clinics and private practice like some of my classmates. Instead, I went to work in the counseling department at the local community college.  I did mental health work, of course, but I also taught classes–in career development, student success strategies, personal development and writing. I was, after all those years, a teacher, sharing with other people what I knew and what I believed to be true. But I also learned first-hand how empowering education is all by itself. Being a teacher isn’t one-directional, with me off-loading a body of knowledge to a waiting audience. A good teacher, in my opinion, is a guide who helps someone figure out for themselves what they need to know.

I finally figured out that it’s not so much the role of being a teacher that draws me, but education itself. Actually, I can break it down even further. Learning is powerful. There is really nothing that gives me more joy than learning something new, growing my understanding of a subject–any subject. The only thing that can equal that sense of satisfaction is being along for the ride as someone else learns something new. This, I now realize, was the pay-off in all my years of parenting, of counseling, or writing and, of course, teaching.

And now, so many years after those afternoons when I pushed my sisters through spelling tests and math problems, I am somewhat surprised that through my work with I Am Story Studios, I have become a writer, an illustrator and, at last, a teacher. I’ve done workshops for years, usually at conferences, churches or private organizations. Now, however, I’m pleased to announce that I have four classes next month that are open to everyone. Or at least, everyone within commuting distance:

Telling Your Story 2 Pages at a Time: 

I’ve noticed that when many people set out to write their stories, they make two mistakes: 1) they try to write too much, and 2) they try to write too soon. As a result, they get overwhelmed and stop. Worse, they don’t start at all. Fortunately, there are easy fixes for these problems, and this two-hour workshop will show you what they are, and help you create a 2-page story about your life. The registration fee for this class includes copies of my books Half Past Perfect and Story Starters. This class is offered at two different times.

Date:   Tuesday, October 4, 2011 OR Thursday, October 27, 2011, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Where:  Oswego Heritage House, Lake Oswego, Oregon

Cost:  $49, including all materials

Introduction to Art Journaling

Making art is a way to explore what we believe, and to make visible the stories and thought patterns by which we live.  Using the basic vocabulary of art–color, imagery, texture, shape–we gain access to what we think, even if we never verbalize it.  If we commit to art making on a consistent basis, however, it can open a wonder-filled world of creative expression, healing, stress-reduction and, at times, transformation. This introductory class will be a playful, art-filled opportunity to explore the techniques of art journaling. We will learn about different materials and media, discuss journaling prompts, and create one complete art journaling page.

When:  Thursday, October 13, 2011, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Where:  Oswego Heritage House, Lake Oswego, Oregon

Cost:  $49, including all materials

Creating Heritage: Telling Someone Else’s Story

You probably know someone whose story should be captured, perhaps a parent, a grandparent, an interesting neighbor. But how do you begin? This workshop will help. You’ll learn about valuable resources, intriguing prompts to draw out details, interviewing ideas, and brainstorming about your project. In addition, you’ll receive an organizational notebook that will help you break down the project into meaningful pieces.

When:  Thursday, October 20, 2011, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Where:  Oswego Heritage House, Lake Oswego, Oregon

Cost:  $49, including workbook

So, that’s it for Fall, 2011. I’m looking for people to join me in these learning experiences. For more information or to register, click on the above links or go to the “Workshop” section at www.IAmStory.com. You can also email me at barbara@iamstory.com.

I look forward to hearing from you!

A Week of Milestones