Pathway to Teaching

Pathway to becoming an Upper Mississippi River Reclaiming (UMMR) teacher

We are Reclaiming teachers coming from diverse backgrounds and training, recognized as Reclaiming teachers by our communities. We are offering a process where folks can become Reclaiming teachers based upon practices of other Reclaiming communities and our community’s unique values and culture.

Our intention is “to nurture and sustain the development of well trained and committed Upper Mississippi River Reclaiming teachers to serve and support the values and magics of our Reclaiming communities.”

Contact the UMRR teaching cell via email at umrrteachingcell@gmail.com

The pathways

There are several paths by which a person may develop the level of experience necessary to be a Reclaiming Teacher in the UMRR Teaching Cell.

    • Take 4 of 5 of the core Reclaiming courses, student teach at least 3 core classes with 2 or more different Reclaiming teachers in this or another Reclaiming community, and be vouched for by those teachers; or
    • Teach or student teach 3 or more times at witchcamps, which have exterior selection committees and be vouched for by their co-teachers; or
    • An additional alternative path is for someone to have taught an equivalent body of work, be familiar with the Reclaiming tradition and practices, and be vouched for by at least two Reclaiming teachers.

Welcoming new and apprentice teachers

The UMRR teaching cell welcomes someone as a fellow Reclaiming Teacher by consensus decision. Once an apprentice teacher wants to be considered as a Reclaiming Teacher, they can apply to the UMRR teaching cell. They will write a letter to the UMRR teaching cell (umrrteachingcell@gmail.com) and ensure that the Teachers they have taught with are available to vouch for them. They will then be considered until a consensus decision is reached and constructive and compassionate feedback is offered to the applicant apprentice teacher.

To be considered as an apprentice teacher

The UMRR teaching cell will consider an apprentice teacher application when the applicant has demonstrated the following: Support for the Reclaiming Principles of Unity (the one thing that everyone is expected to do if they wish to declare themselves a Reclaiming Witch).

  • An understanding of and familiarity with the Upper Mississippi River Reclaiming “We Are” Statement.
  • Have a body of knowledge from taking Reclaiming classes, at a minimum to include 4 of the 5 core Reclaiming classes.
  • Active participation in the local community (ritual planning, potlucks, community support for individuals, organizing etc.).
  • Willingness to undertake application/screening process to become an apprentice teacher.
  • Willingness to be mentored throughout the apprentice teacher process based upon an apprenticeship model.
  • Willingness to track the dates and of the teachers of the core courses completed.
  • Submission of a recommendation to become an apprentice teacher from at least one teacher of a core class that they have recently completed.

Once these requirements have been fulfilled, a person may apply to the UMRR teaching cell to become an apprentice teacher. In the case of a Reclaiming teacher relocating from another geographical area, their experience shall be considered as they apply to become a Upper Mississippi River Reclaiming apprentice teacher or teacher.

To become a teacher each applicant shall:

  • Create their personal statement of intention for teaching.
  • Complete one of the three pathways above.
  • Develop a special area of interest such as divination, prayer beads, music, etc.
  • Develop an understanding of and actively support the Reclaiming Principles of Unity.
  • Develop an understanding of and familiarity with the Upper Mississippi River Reclaiming “We Are” Statement.
  • Make a commitment to serve on the Teachers’ Group for two years once declared a Reclaiming Teacher.
  • Participate in community organizing, teaching and other activities (such as ritual planning, potlucks, community support for individuals, etc.).

If someone is accepted as a Reclaiming Teacher in the UMRR teaching cell without having taught all 5 core classes, they agree to teach core classes they have not previously taught with a teacher who has previously taught that specific class.

Other things to note:

The Upper Mississippi River Reclaiming Teachers Group intends to share inservice trainings focused on a variety of educational, ritual, craft, etc. skills including, among other things, such topics as:

  • sustainable critique
  • teaching methodology
  • pedagogy (teaching philosophy)
  • voice and rhythm work
  • ritual design

When Upper Mississippi River Reclaiming Teachers offer a class/course which is not one of the core Reclaiming classes, they may invite co-teachers who are not Reclaiming teachers or apprentice teachers to join them facilitating/teaching the event as long as the guest teachers understand that this does not fulfill any of the requirements for becoming a Upper Mississippi River Reclaiming teacher or apprentice teacher.

The five core courses of the Reclaiming Witch Tradition

  • Elements of Magic
  • Iron Pentacle
  • Pearl Pentacle
  • Rites of Passage
  • Community