Mandy Kimm has just joined the Re-Authoring Teaching team as Peggy Sax’s assistant after graduating from Middlebury College in May. From Mandy:

From when we first spoke on the phone, it was clear that Peggy and I were on the same wavelength. My interest in embodied, creative practices of healing and Peggy’s work in expanding the Narrative community and educational opportunities in Narrative Practices complement each other to generate a swirl of curiosity, energy and enthusiasm for our shared work. I dove right into this vibrant community in June by helping Peggy coordinate the Narrative Workshops and Educator’s Camp in Vermont, during which I got a glimpse of the deep connection and care shared by students, practitioners and educators for Narrative approaches in their varied forms. I’m excited to learn more and to keep moving with the energy and momentum galvanized by the camps as we develop new materials and enliven existing offerings.

After the invigorating and inspiring June gatherings and with Mandy on board, Re-Authoring Teaching is entering a new phase—keep reading below for some of the in-process changes and new projects, and look around the website for gorgeous new photos taken by Charley Lang, Mandy Kimm and workshop participants!

Upcoming Developments – check back soon!

 

Integrating the Vermont Workshops

In the two workshops, Extending the Histories of Narrative Practice and Insider Witness Practices, presenters highlighted the foundationally interdisciplinary and relational nature of Narrative Practices. Lynne Rosen delved into the integration of embodied sensations, images and memories in the languaging of stories of self; David Paré and Ian Percy examined the complementary possibilities of inter-weaving Narrative Practice and mindfulness; and Tom Stone Carlson and David Epston revealed the innovative practice of Insider Witnessing through which clients become witnesses to a hope-biased portrayal of their lives as performed by their therapist. Stay tuned for materials from the workshop recordings!

We’ve heard your feedback–from the desire to see a greater diversity in presenters, to more space for reflection and participation, to an emphasis on applying the topics to one’s practice, to heartfelt thanks for the insights and the beautiful location–and we’re looking forward to incorporating many of these ideas and thoughts into future planning. Please reach out to us with further feedback and suggestions!

The July Collab Salon will focus on reflections and take-aways from these workshops.  We welcome new members!

Energized by Educator's Camp

This year, Narrative Camp was followed by an intimate gathering of educators of Narrative Practices over a long weekend on the shores of Lake Champlain. Participants reflected on the history and legacy of narrative training starting with founders Michael White and David Epston, shared pedagogical approaches and innovations, and discussed considerations in honoring local knowledges, complex identities & indigenous practices.

From the rich co-sparking that took place during educator’s camp, we’re working to revitalize the Higher Education Section of the Re-Authoring Teaching site to share new ideas and highlight innovative practices.  Now we’re busy creating free Youtube videos, developing a Narrative Educators Network  and designing new pages that put a spotlight on innovative teaching practices as well as on student and practitioner voices. In the process, we’re creating a Portal for Educators to access a protected online library of teaching topics and a place to share “Sparks.”

These efforts are guided by our commitment to build a network of Narrative Educators, a library of high quality teaching materials, and to provide a protected place for educators to collaborate and share resources.

Stay tuned!

Transforming Conversations into Community

The Conversations section of this site will become Community: in addition to the existing Collab Salon, Facebook Community and CE course forums, we will be rejuvenating the News Blog and introducing two new pages: Fresh Voices and Linking Initiatives! Fresh Voices will focus on the work of a new generation of Narrative practitioners, and Linking Initiatives will connect Re-Authoring Teaching with other organizations, sites and projects to bring the global Narrative community together.

Looking Forward to the Future

We are going bi-coastal! In collaboration with the LA PoMo group (and others),  we are beginning to plan our spring 2018 Workshop/Narrative Camp gathering, which will take place in southern California. And then in 2019, we plan to come back to Vermont – refreshed and eager – for another unique Northern New England experience.

More info coming soon!