Student Empowerment

Wonderful surprises can come from upsetting circumstances.

I am a newish TCC teacher, teaching a little over a year at the local senior center. Most students have been attending classes a few months; some have come since the beginning; new people come frequently. The Friday class with 20 or more fills the room.

I use the circle-within-a-circle formation for some sessions. The more practiced students stand in the small inner circle with me; the less practiced ones are in the larger outer circle.

I arranged for a substitute TCC teacher in order to attend Sandy McAlister’s retreat. At the last minute, the teacher was unable to cover for me. Twenty-four students showed up to class though. After learning what had happened, I emailed the students apologizing that they had taken the trouble to show up without a teacher present.

Chills ran up and down my spine as responses came into my inbox. Emails describing what happened showed pride and delight in accomplishment. While waiting for the teacher, then realizing no one was coming, without any advice from me, they spontaneously decided to do a group practice. Two of the most practiced students suggested they form the circle-within-a-circle formation. Others usually in the inner circle joined, and off they went. Joy filled my heart. I was thrilled. They had made TCC their own. They are getting it. They know and like the practice. They are entering the Cosmic Rhythm.

What a privilege to see this empowering transformation.