After their groundbreaking book, From Teaching to Thinking was published to great enthusiasm, Ann Pelo and Margie Carter began nurturing new writers who had important stories to tell about their teaching practices. One by one, these stories were published as a series called the Reimagining Our Work book collection.

Making Adjustments by Misa Okayama is one of the beautiful books in this collection. It’s a story about slowing down and being present with children, observing them with care and wonder, and learning from their innate wisdom. As early childhood educator Lisa Lee says about the book, “For all who desire to bring their whole selves to the classroom, Misa shares how it can be done, bringing a cultural and intimately personal lens to the daily practice of teaching.”Misa joins a growing group of educators and administrators who are realizing they want to leave distractions behind when they are with children, or with their teams. On the  “Growing Leaders” website, Tim Elmore’s article, “A Commitment for Educators: Being Fully Present in the Moment.” explained:

“I am learning the art of being fully present. Nancy Collier is a psychotherapist who reminds us, ‘When we’re fully present, we feel connected to life and everything in it. We are part of the moment, inside it.’

• If you’re a teacher, it means you’re fully present with your students.
• If you’re a mother, it means you’re fully present with your children.
• If you’re a leader, it means you’re fully present with your team.
• If you’re alone, it means you’re fully present with yourself.

“My problem has been that I’m preoccupied with the past and the future. I am either distracted by mistakes I’ve made or by plans I’ve laid. Being present means not thinking about our pasts, nor projecting into our futures.”

Misa Okayama has been practicing this way of being and she generously describes her journey. Through her book she invites other educators to join her.