Reflections from a Boulder Journey School Resident Teacher: Courage

In order to progress in the field of Education, the world needs teachers who do not always do things because they are popular or because they have been done a particular way. Teachers should be willing to experiment, to take risks, and to be audacious, recognizing that not just any education is good enough.

Mayra is a member of the 2021-2022 Boulder Journey School Teacher Education Cohort

Mayra Tubac is a Graduate student currently enrolled in the Boulder Journey School Teacher Education Program. Mayra is completing her residency in one of the infant rooms at Boulder Journey School. Maureen Condon, Boulder Journey School Mentor, sat down with Mayra to pick her brain about the professional competency of courage.

Q: What have you learned about courage while teaching during the 2021-2022 school year?

“Once you stop living in fear, you will be able to overcome fear and take more chances to be courageous.”

Q: What opportunities for learning about courage exist within the context of teaching during a pandemic, when circumstances consistently change?

“Every day is unknown and things change from day to day so we just have to move and work with it. That has to be very courageous, just to take each day as it comes.”

Q: What have you learned from children about courage?

“I think I learned not to fear the unknown. Their (children’s) curiosity and their exploration has led me to be more courageous in what I do and how I do things.”

Q: What have you learned from your fellow Boulder Journey School Teacher Education Program cohort members about courage?

“Their support and encouragement to keep doing what I’m doing has really helped me not feel anxious or self conscious about what I’m doing and has really given me the courage and is motivating to keep doing what I’m doing.” 

Q: What have your fellow cohort members learned about courage from you?

“I think it’s more of my sense of the way I take things and how I have a positive attitude. They (cohort members) consistently have asked me how do I keep so calm. I don’t really have an answer but they appreciate that positive attitude I come with, mostly every day.”

Below, Mayra joyfully connecting with a child in her class.

What brings you the courage to be joyful? The courage to connect?


One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.
-Maya Angelou