An Exciting Platform for Connection and Networking!
By Ruai Rekha Gregory
The topics so far have covered:
Challenging Behaviors: Ruai Rekha Gregory
— This presentation looked closely at the question of what really constitutes a challenging behavior in the classroom, and who is it really challenging. Behavior always has a reason. A number of strategies and suggestions for developing strong and depthful relationships with children were explored, along with ideas for supporting children and meeting them exactly where they are in their lives.
Yoga with Children: Mahajyoti Glassman
–Wonderful approaches to teaching each aspect of Astaunga Yoga to children were covered, with experiential opportunities to practice in class.
Creating Classroom Community: Linda Baker
–Practical examples for creating strong and collaborative classroom communities were shown and discussed. Many participants shared their own examples and later added questions and photos to the NEE Whatsapp group.
Increasing Reading Comprehension Through “Sensethinking”: Aitabé Fornés
–The speaker introduced her system of using all the senses as a way to deepen understanding across the curriculum, but especially in reading comprehension.
How to incorporate Neohumanist ideas into your school: Hoang Thao Ly
–In this very informative presentation, the speaker shared many ideas for classroom practice plus ideas for networking with teachers and parents.
Presenters have enjoyed networking and dialoguing throughout the sessions, creating a “round table” exchange of ideas. Each session has been well attended, and the latest ones have included translators for Spanish, Portuguese and Vietnamese speaking participants.
Feedback from both the NHE Online Forum and NHCA Teacher Preparation Cohort students drove the development of this project, in that networking experiences were needed and requested. As more educators spread the word about NHE and graduates of the teacher preparation program sought ways to stay in touch with fellow students and faculty, the NEE concept grew.
Each hour-long session contains a “mini-workshop”, discussion and a chance to dive deeper in applying NHE concepts in a “coffee chat” after the main session is over. Presenters have especially enjoyed the chance to summarize and apply ideas and educational approaches, and participants have given enthusiastic feedback. They can keep in touch between sessions in the NEE WhatsApp group. Several have found answers to concerns and questions that they have immediately applied in their teaching. They share their results in the WhatsApp group, which inspires others to comment and report on their own experiences. In this way a true fellowship develops across the globe.
Christy Shaver, one of the organizers and facilitators, described her experience: “firstly, organizing these sessions has been a rewarding journey. I believe our main goals have been to foster a supportive space for participants to explore and deepen their Neohumanist values as educators while also creating practical connections with each other. The experience has shown me just how much value these gatherings bring to everyone involved. The sessions have ranged from structured discussions on core principles to open conversations where members can share personal experiences and insights. The feedback has highlighted how much participants appreciate the chance to connect on shared values, explore new ideas, and feel part of a larger, supportive community.”
Upcoming topics for 2025 include:
The Yoga of Art and the Art of Yoga, with Marco Oliveira; and NEE: How Educators Imagine a Better Future, with Sohail Inayatullah
Contact NHCA to register or to view past videos. We look forward to an enriching, robust future of connectivity!
https://www.nhca-gurukul.org/nhe-exchange