{"id":631,"date":"2026-09-29T18:43:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T18:43:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/center.antioch.edu\/csc\/?p=631"},"modified":"2026-09-29T18:43:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T18:43:16","slug":"off-kilter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/center.antioch.edu\/csc\/2026\/09\/29\/off-kilter\/","title":{"rendered":"Off Kilter"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I have vertigo. If you’ve never had the pleasure, trust me when I say it’s the highest level of discombobulation, and it’s a 0\/10 experience. One minute I’m fine, going about the business of being me; the next-WHAM<\/strong>– the world is spinning, and I’m grabbing anything solid to help stay upright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The symbolism isn’t lost on you, I’m sure. Our day-to-day lives are turned upside down with no warning while we flail about, looking for anything solid to hold onto. 100% discombobulation guaranteed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wish I could tell you that I could provide a handhold, certain and available in all those situations when things get topsy-turvy. Unfortunately, what works for me\u2014 my solid ground\u2014 isn’t portable or applicable in all situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I can offer you is this: a reminder that the solid ground exists<\/strong>. Whether we feel it or not in the moment, it’s still there. That sense that there’s nothing to cling to feels<\/strong> real, but that doesn’t make it true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does it feel like for you when you feel steady, balanced, and two-feet-on-the-ground solid?  What are the things you count on when everything is upended?  That’s your solid ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same applies in our classrooms. When chaos breaks out (as it can from time to time), knowing what not-chaos looks and sounds like can help us regain our collective balance. Having clear processes to get from confusion to clarity\u2014 processes you’ve practiced in advance and know well\u2013 provide a reliable road map to get your feet back under you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This month, I’m sharing a handful of resources for doing that in your own classroom. I hope you’ll download them, use them, and share them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warmly,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sign up for Connections: Tools, News, and Inspiration for Teachers Like You<\/a>\u00a0and receive these little letters (plus a lot more) straight to your inbox every month!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I have vertigo. If you’ve never had the pleasure, trust me when I say it’s the highest level of discombobulation, and it’s a 0\/10 experience. One minute I’m fine, going about the business of being me; the next-WHAM– the world is spinning, and I’m grabbing anything solid to help stay upright. The symbolism isn’t lost […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":632,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13,25],"tags":[22,20],"class_list":["post-631","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-blog","category-little-letters","tag-little-letters-from-laura","tag-newsletter","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t