I.E.Tea
At the heart of Indiveducation is the belief that systems should serve the soul, not silence it. IETea is a simple yet transformative invitation to reimagine IEP meetings as human spaces by offering warm tea—literally and symbolically—as a gesture of welcome, presence, and care. The presence of tea slows the pace, invites strength-based conversations, softens the room, and invites everyone—families, educators, specialists—to show up not just as roles, but as people.
When the learning gets tough, make tea. :)
Philosophical and Cultural Foundations
Eastern Philosophy and the Tea Ceremony: Rooted in Japanese and Chinese traditions, tea ceremonies were never just about drinking tea. They were about Ichigo ichie—“one time, one meeting”—a concept that invites deep presence and reverence for the moment. As Sen no Rikyū taught, tea is a path to harmony (wa), respect (kei), purity (sei), and tranquility (jaku). These same principles can soften the often clinical and rigid tone of IEP spaces.
Hospitality as Pedagogy: bell hooks writes in Teaching to Transgress, “To teach in a manner that respects and cares for the souls of our students is essential.” Sharing tea is a small but mighty act of hospitality. It signals to families and students that their stories matter, that their presence is valued, and that care is foundational to the work of the multi-disciplinary team.
Poetry and Slowness: As Rumi reminds us, “The soul has been given its own ears to hear things the mind does not understand.” In the rush of data and documentation, IETea creates a pocket of time where listening happens not from urgency, but from intentionality.
Professional Context and Relevance
While not part of traditional procedural safeguards, warmth and relational presence at IEP meetings are aligned with best practices in family-centered and culturally responsive special education (Blue-Banning et al., 2004). Research on trust-building in school partnerships shows that perceived care and mutual respect directly impact collaboration and outcomes (Bryk & Schneider, 2002). By beginning with something as simple as a cup of tea, educators communicate nonverbally that this meeting is not a transaction, but a shared effort in supporting a child’s journey.
Implementation
Offer herbal tea in clean, thoughtful cups at the beginning of the meeting.
Invite a brief centering breath or intention before beginning formalities.
Use the tea to frame the meeting as a collaboration and a space for growth and understanding.
