Part 1: Grounding

Before writing, take a moment to pause and arrive fully.

Settle into your body. Feel your breath move through your chest, your belly.
Let an image or phrase from the videos rise in your mind.
Ask yourself: What does this stir in me, personally and professionally?

You may wish to jot down a word or two to anchor your reflection.

Part 2: Reflective Writing

Choose 2–3 of the following prompts to respond to. These are written broadly to be meaningful across roles. There is no "right" way to reflect; just start where you are.

1. Transformative Relationships

Describe a relationship in your educational life—past or present—that felt transformative or sacred.
What made that relationship powerful? How did it shape you?
How do you currently create conditions for these kinds of connections in your work?

2. Authentic Being

When in your work do you feel most aligned with your truest self?
What supports you in staying present, honest, and open in your role?
What makes authenticity difficult in your context? What gets in the way?

3. Witnessing and Being Witnessed

Think of a time when you felt deeply seen by someone in your school community.
How did that shift your experience of yourself or your work?
How do you make space for others—students, staff, or colleagues—to feel witnessed in their full humanity?

Part 3: Commitment or Intention

Reflect on the insights you’ve just explored. Let them guide you toward an intention for your ongoing presence in education.

Complete this sentence:

In my role as an educator/leader, I will nurture spiritual aliveness in my community by…

Write your sentence somewhere you’ll see it, your notebook, a sticky note on your desk, or a shared staff reflection wall.

Processing Exercise: Transformative Relationships & Authentic Being in Education