Project Presentation
Summary of Learning
Amy Pille
Art, Environment, and the Child
November 27th, 2005
Where have I been? Where am I going? This exploration will lead me through fall, through my significant experiences and explorations; spiraling out into now where I must again ask these questions and choose which path to follow...
Late summer was a trying time for me. A return to the Pacific Northwest from my former mid-western home left me disoriented in my life's direction. In my life at the time I had explored a lot through my own unstructured volition, but felt the need for a change to really drive me. I started this class because it fit 3 of my favorite things together, and could offer some good experience for future work. Then, amazingly enough, I began working a completely separate dream job with art and kids. These things, another meaningful job teaching kids, and the change fall brought in have left me now, at the nearing of winter, with more spirit and drive in my life than I've had in awhile. My interests have been honed and defined. I've realized some of my preferences for working with kids, though, I still have some honing to do in this department. I know the classroom is not really a place for me, and I know I enjoy one on one or a very small group interaction with kids. I like to let the children's own curiosity shape their learning experience, and I love to show them the natural world. I have also realized that working with kids is not completely fulfilling to me, though I do love it. I still have drive for a different, more intellectual challenge. What is completely fulfilling to me is botanical medicine, and I know that now, more than ever. What that means in a practical sense is foggy, but I know it's got my heart. I am different now nearing the end of fall because I am driven, though the direction I'm driving is somewhat obscure. I feel an increased sense of leadership and confidence, and my experiences related to this class have really nourished that.
What nourished these changes, you ask? Well, there were three significant class experiences that caused parts of me to color and change the most. In chronological order, the first was reading the book Staying Healthy With the Seasons, by Elson Haas. This book inspired me to tune in deeply into my body and the outside world, and see the connection between the two. It introduced me more extensively to the Chinese Five Element Theory, which I have found to be a profound model for complete health of the inner and outer worlds. Haas also inspired me to do my first fast, which brought me great insight and well being. Most importantly it helped me pull out of a frustrated rut regarding my health, and take care of myself even more.
The second was the classroom experience. On many levels this pushed me. I was able to secure a position in the classroom, and earn the ability to take the children and teach them, with my partner Nikki. This required communication, cooperation, trust, planning, and flexibility, to name a few. Our lessons were great and our intent to heighten the connection between children, plants, and their bodies was accomplished. Working at Lincoln taught me skills to work with children and adults more effectively. I now know even better the importance of clear, direct communication, and of perseverance in creating what I want. I also have a broader perspective on teaching children. I have emerged with a heightened sense of leadership and confidence in my abilities.
The third significant inspiration from this class was my increasing love for herbal sciences. I found the actual class teachings to be disappointing due to their infrequency and repetitiousness from my class with Marja this summer. However, I took it as inspiration to further my own knowledge and endeavors. I made a lot of medicine this fall. I made my first glycerites- dandelion and rose hips, I harvested my first roots - dandelion and burdock, I began making salves from my own infused oils, and I successfully cured myself of a cold with my own medicines. I learned more plant identification, and more uses of medicinal herbs. I also broadened my base of knowledge to include Chinese herbalism and medicine even more.
It is difficult for me to choose three important activities of the class program, but since you ask, you shall receive. I did really enjoy the trip to Tahoma. Connecting with the mountain was intense, and 5 element Tai Ji with all 40 of us was intense and uplifting and really struck a cord in me spiritually. The water rained down on us, the fire burned underneath us, the wood of the large trees stood around us, the metal structures sheltered us, and the earth stood solid underneath. I felt the connection truly. It was also meaningful to connect with people in the class, and strengthen our sense of community.
I really enjoyed learning about salmon on the trip to Kennedy Creek, though it's pertinence to the class was somewhat far fetched. The week before the trip I had heard and seen salmon jumping and it took me by complete surprise. I also saw the dead and thought it was because of pollution. Then, I went to Kennedy creek and learned that they die after they swim upstream and spawn, and that this is a natural part of their lifecycle. I was grateful to be a witness to such an amazing instinct.
Lastly, I gained an interesting perspective on early childhood development when Wendy Causey came from Waldorf Schools. Her theories about nourishing children's own innate curiosity struck a chord in me, and the stressing of importance on physical learning in the first 7 years gave me food for thought. I was mostly happy just to be taught something in class, which is what I feel was missing in most of our class time.
All of this was framed in the change of autumn. My connection to autumn was stronger than ever. I knew the Five Element Theory purported it as a time for lungs and the large intestine, and so I nourished them. I charted the leaf changing and falling through October and November on a single tree in my yard, as well as noticing the general change every day. I collected beautiful leaves with madness and reverence, and made art and meaning from them. I reveled in the spiritual meaning of the change of fall, and reflected in 'letting go'. I really came to know fall as a wondrous time, and I believe it is now my favorite. The heat of late summer falls away to a crisp jump start for change, death, and rebirth. The earth gives its bounty right as we need to gather, and we celebrate. The transition to winter comes to me more gracefully now; I have less fear knowing my deeper connection to what's happening on this planet.
So what's next? The leaves on my tree have gone. Frost glazes over them now, and we enter a transitional time once again. I feel driven, inspired; like I'm trodding down a good path for myself. However, I feel a bit lost in the mystery of where to turn now. I want to continue on my collegiate path, but am disappointed with the options. I know I can always independently drive my education, but I want to learn from wise teachers, and be in a community. And all I really want to do is learn the science of herbalism and the human body, though part of me fears such a singular commitment. It seems best suited that I continue with the structures I have had through fall on into the winter. My jobs are rewarding and enriching, and I am happy within and beyond school, home, and work. I welcome winter in all her dark and enchanted glory, and leave fall's past to decay. I seek to continue this winding, mysterious path to greater understand and enrich myself with my endeavors.
