“Happiness is not found within us, but rather between us.”
The last time that an in-person educator convention was held (October 2019) in Ancaster, nearly 1000 Christian educators explored this concept from a British researcher, Rob Loe. (Hard to imagine 1000 maskless people in one auditorium today!)
Depending only on self-help books, mindfulness to find your inner “you”, and other such activities is not the route to happiness, he proposed. His interesting research of measuring relationships in organizations indicate that people flourish when strong connecting relationships exist. The most vulnerable are taken care of best in communities were connecting relationships are strongest. He presented some “threats” to relationship health in our culture and context. Bees in a bee hive with unique but connected roles was offered as a visual to ponder. The hive thrives when relationships between the bees is healthy.
At LCES, we believe relationship is the foundation of learning. Jesus showed us this in the way in which he announced a new covenant and the coming kingdom. He lived and taught in an intensely relational setting with his disciples. Can you imagine the talking on long walks, mealtime conversations, and lingering campfire debates?
This is why students and teachers at LCES begin the day with deliberate greetings, listen to each other about silly things and serious things, and spend time restoring relationships when they are struggling. This is why we have reading buddies, bus buddies, and STEM friends (grade 7&8 and kindergarten). We strive to have students who are seen, known, and loved every day they come to school learn of God’s truth.
It’s great to be in the hive at LCES every day.
SJ
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