Bella
Dear Maryann,
For the last year, I’ve been hiding a
terrible secret. I panic in small spaces.
Unfortunately, my school is very small.
I have about 35 students in a tiny class
and feel immediately stressed when
I walk in the room. I find them sitting
on my desk, writing on the boards,
or hiding my markers. They are good
students, most of the times, but I feel
smothered to a point where I have
uncontrollable outbursts. How can
I make some “personal space” in a
crowded, dark room without offending
anyone? As you know, it is difficult to
tell students “no.”
Cramped,
Lila
Dear Lila,
You are dealing with an issue of
boundaries. Boundaries help to
establish a comfort zone for students
and teachers, and set healthy limits.
You can subtly introduce this to your
students without forcing it or making
it into a lesson. Demonstrate to
your students that your desk is your
“personal space”. Sit or stand there,
and invite them to come up to the
board. They’ll eventually realize that
it is by invitation or permission only.
It may not work everyday, but it’s a
start. Avoid sitting in their chairs.
Do not touch their phones, books,
etc., but always ask with permission.
Be sensitive about cultural norms
without taking anything personal.
Open a few windows in the classroom
to brighten up the space, if possible,
or arrange the desks to suit your
teaching style. Build in quiet times
and group work, where you can
stop talking and moving. You may
have more chatter in the room, but
they are working together, while you
guide them within your limits. On
bad days, lean into the chaos and
don’t react to every movement. This
does not mean you are ignoring your
students or letting them “get away
with” anything. It’s an act of selfcare, so that you can maintain your
composure, and focus on what really
matters. Remember, the classroom
is a shared space – for students, and
yourself. Both can work together,
but apart.
Maryann
Dear Maryann,
I have dark skin and I find that many
of the beauty products in local
Abu Dhabi malls have bleaching or
whitening ingredients. I also have
trouble finding foundations that look
good on me. I love my dark skin but
it’s starting to look uneven! How can I
take care of my skin, while keeping its
natural tone and colour?
Dear Asa,
If you want to preserve your skin’s
natural beauty, you need to go
further than your local mall. What
are the beauty products that you
used at home before moving to
Abu Dhabi? These are the products
that you need to have on hand. If
you can’t find them at the mall,
order online. Amazon is a great
alternative to the mall. If you use
Shop n Ship, you’ll be able to get
your favourite products delivered
to you from Sephora, Amazon, and
more. Understand that whitening
ingredients like hydroquinone, kojic
acid, alpha-hydroxyl acids, and
arbutin are an important part of the
beauty regimen in some cultures.
Obviously, you want to avoid these
products at all cost. But, it sounds
like a few have snuck their way into
your regimen! While you restock on
new beauty items, make sure your
skin stays well moisturized to keep
it toned. Garnier, Neutrogena and
Olay Regenerist make excellent
products for moisturizing. Don’t
feel confined to the mall. A girl has
to travel near and far to maintain her
beauty. It's worth it!
Maryann
Blotchy in Al Ain,
Asa
Maryann Reid, educator and lifestyle expert from
New York, can be reached at [email protected]
After The Bell
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Mar - Apr 2016
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