On a recent Early Childhood placement, I felt the enormity of the real responsibility of a teacher. I have been a qualified teacher for 13 years and always consider myself to be developing and learning. As part of the required documentation I had to write about ‘My Teaching Philosophy’.
Writing ‘My Teaching Philosophy’ was super simple as I decided to just write what I felt to be true for me. I spoke from the practice of my daily living and working in the role of a teacher. To me, teaching is about connecting to the kids first.
In essence, this is what I wrote:
My teaching philosophy is very simple… it is based around three key elements:
- I like to make sure the children know that they matter and are valued – that they are being heard, and that they are seen, felt and ‘met’ for the amazing beings they naturally are, rather than being recognised solely for what they do or achieve in the classroom.
- Taking responsibility for truly caring for myself. I know that the way that I care for myself brings a certain quality to my presence, which I then naturally bring to the way I interact with the children in my classroom. I now understand the primary importance of self-care and the ripple effect it has on others. The children feel this level of self-responsibility and they feel safe and nurtured which allows for freedom of expression and joy within the kids, and thus an excellent learning environment is created.
- To the best of my ability I make learning meaningful, fun, engaging and filled with purpose… this creates a feeling of equal-ness in the classroom and learning becomes effortless. I feel that we have an opportunity as teachers to bring this to all areas of education.
In my teaching practice I know that children thrive when they:
- Are engaged with eye contact and a caring voice.
- Feel heard and understood by their educators and classmates.
- Are allowed the time to process information and develop in their own way.
I have realised that children feel everything around them and that we as educators have an enormous opportunity to reflect something pretty amazing and special to them, if we choose to. Children need to feel free to express their feelings and be in a space where their feelings are honoured and not overridden or brushed off. We all feel, and children are extremely in-tune with what is happening around them. Children can spot hypocrisy a mile away.
We must be real. Students do need to experience a wide range of learning activities and are required to meet many outcomes within their schooling. However, I have experienced that teachers who build quality relationships with children know what is needed for each child to learn in a way that works for him or her.
For me, true learning stems from the children. It is a result of what makes sense to them and has meaning. No one likes to learn something if they cannot on some level understand the purpose behind it. As kids love fun and playfulness, I aim to offer students learning of concrete and important information through play and engaging them wherever I can.
I have come to the understanding that children know a lot more than we as adults give them credit for. They know and sense what way works best for them…
As a teacher, I continue to ask myself:
- How can I further support their knowing and being?
- Am I doing anything that gets in the way of their natural way of being and learning?
- Is my way of being, my classroom and conduct all about people first or task first?
When we make it about relationships and people first… the teaching part becomes simple.
As Teachers we have Amazing Opportunities!
This afternoon I had another ‘Whoa’ moment. I felt with all of me the actual and true responsibility that teachers have, whether we choose to claim it, avoid it, or sadly in some cases, abuse it.
I felt…
- A knowing and understanding that educators are with the kids for the same amount of time that they are with their parents each school day.
- That each teacher has the same opportunity as the child’s parents in supporting the kids to have a strong sense of self and to be healthy and confident individuals.
- That we have an opportunity to not only educate that child but to reflect, to inspire and foster within them a true way of being.
As teachers we have the potential to not only teach but to fully support children in learning how to be in their fullness and amazingness within society and Our World. This means – how they actually are with others!!! If kids grow up to be adults who are living in their fullness, the rest of humanity benefits. So why is this not our main priority?
I then realised another amazing opportunity teachers have.
What would our world be like if all children grew up, supported and educated in a way that said . . .
“Just be You. You are already Awesome. Now let’s give you the support and training in all subjects while you ascertain what you feel drawn to pursue and thus study further so you may eventually bring your awesomeness to the world, in the profession in which you choose to bring it.”
Possibilities for True Change
What if all children had role models who reflected back to them that…
Choosing how they could BE as a grown up, without changing themselves to suit their boss, or putting on a different face for their family or compromising their true self in any way, shape or form…
How powerful and unified would our future generations be if all children were supported to:
- Develop an unwavering trust in themselves,
- Know how to honour themselves and therefore others,
- Truly self-care so that they always looked after their bodies,
- Develop and practice a way of speaking that is clear, without any force and in a way that does not leave anyone feeling lesser?
Teaching – from our Quality of Being First
The fact is, all of this can come from how any of us as teachers actually choose to behave and live. It is not another program to be implemented on top of everything else, to achieve something, but something that can be felt completely from the way each of us, as teachers, chooses to be first with ourselves, and then with others. This can then be brought to the children in the classroom and school environment.
Writing ‘My Teaching Philosophy’ has confirmed for me that my quality as the teacher, the space, the engagement and interaction I provide in every moment of every day, will determine what is reflected to the children, what will be felt by them, and what will be there to inspire them or not. My philosophy is a lived one. It is lived each day by me in full to the best of my ability, with no perfection but definitely with a loving intention and dedication. A Living and Lived philosophy!
Inspired by the presentations of Serge Benhayon and the way he has reflected true teaching through the quality of his presence, and the knowledge he has shared. Thank you to Universal Medicine.
By Johanna Smith, Bachelor of Education, Perth, WA
This is so true
“We all feel, and children are extremely in-tune with what is happening around them. Children can spot hypocrisy a mile away.”
Children can feel when their parents come home from a days work and still be at work in their heads and do not fully engage with their child and then wonder why their child kicks off. It’s not surprising as the child has been waiting for them to come home and the disappointment of not being met is huge.
Wow seriously if we had more teachers who had the same philosophy as you the world would be such a better place.
Oh how we need these guidelines in all education, really a child misses out so much when the teacher is not responsibility fit.
These guidelines are not only needed in education they are needed in every industry that we work in. We are naturally sensitive caring people and the way we have been brought up does not reflect this. I think it would be amazing if we were able to raise a generation of children that were met for who they truly are and are not crushed by the ‘system’ currently in place. If this were to happen then we might see the changes in our society we all secretly crave.
“As teachers we have the potential to not only teach but to fully support children in learning how to be in their fullness and amazingness within society and Our World.” We are all both teachers and students and learn from each other.
Being met by our teachers and not being overridden is a paramount contributor to us learning how to live in a world of equality.
We always remember the teachers that were genuinely kind and caring.
‘We must be real’ Well said, Johanna, as it is when we are just ourselves, we can inspire others to be themselves too. This is very simple, but really supportive in our learning and growing to fully be and bring what we are in everything that we do and express and it makes a ripple effect in every encounter with others.
Amparo Lorente Chafer I am only just beginning to grasp the responsibility we all have to live in a way that is harmless to ourselves and all others. And so when I have a tantrum about life being unfair, it is to reign in those thoughts because they are harming me and everyone else, to look at where the thoughts are coming from and why is it I want to keep myself locked into only viewing life from my point of view.
The level of self-care and self-love we have for ourselves can be felt by who we interact with, so how important is this when we are in schools with children, many of whom have very low self worth, ‘Taking responsibility for truly caring for myself. I know that the way that I care for myself brings a certain quality to my presence, which I then naturally bring to the way I interact with the children in my classroom. I now understand the primary importance of self-care and the ripple effect it has on others.’
Great suggestion Elizabeth which would support so many to feel truly met whatever they are doing and feel how we can look after ourselves within that and reflect self care to others.
So true that when we put the relationship with children first then the learning naturally evolves from that.
We do have amazing opportunities as teachers, and I agree connecting with the children is super important, ‘teaching is about connecting to the kids first.’
I feel that we’re all teachers, in our own way; we all reflect to others, all of the time, and all have a responsibility to support ourselves to bring 100% of who we are into the world, and then support others to do the same. Also love your point on are we about people first, or task first? When we make it about the I want to do this, or X task, then it takes us away from our natural connection to people, and they don’t feel met. Honest and real relationships are crucial to the success of absolutely anything: we can’t do it alone, nor are we supposed to. Working together is how we learn.
Yes, we are all teachers in a way, since we are constantly reflecting how we are and what we do, to others, and in this we have a responsibility in what we reflect and so share with others.
So cool to offer these children support in being who they are and confirming them in this rather than trying to mould them to a system. This is so refreshing as no 2 people will ever be exactly the same in how they express, so there is really not a 1 type fits all solution.
No matter how many qualifications or experience we have under our belt, we are forever learning. To be open to each day and what it offers allows for a greater awareness not only to support others but ourselves too. There is never an end to evolution and growing while we are here on this plane of life.
Great to have an open learning philosophy as well as a teaching one.
Supporting and teaching children is not imposing that comes from a trying where we think we can switch it on and off. No, it comes from a way of being 24/7 we have in relation to ourselves.
There is such true support in allowing people the time to process and develop in their own way. In this way learning can be fun and enjoyable and much more expansive.
‘Just be You. You are already Awesome.’ Although I had a couple of fantastic teachers that I felt met and supported by, no one ever said, you are amazing as you are. This is so key to allowing children to be at settlement within themselves. Once held in this manner, children are free to explore their strengths and work out what their purpose is, in regards to their work expression, later in life.
Forget all the knowledge and the ideals, love is the way forward. Teaching is all about connection – without that we have nothing. Holding another in a space where they feel safe to make their own mistakes
Ooo I love this description Sam: “Holding another in a space where they feel safe to make their own mistakes”. We could do with offering this to one another as adults too, and also to ourselves. What a gift this would be to a child as they are exploring their way in life and learning – and being available to support as and when it is required.
An outcomes driven approach to education is very limiting for a child. For it does not allow a child to access or draw out their natural curiousity, understanding, wisdom and ways of doing things. A child is naturally inquisitive about life but when this is capped and the end result is pre-determined for a child it does not invite this natural inquisitiveness but instead imposes onto them how they need to be.
Reading this has been very helpful because I volunteer at a local primary school and have found the children to be very joyful and spontaneous – which unfortunately as adults we have been conditioned to leave that behaviour behind for a more sober and reduced approach to life. I learn a lot from the 6 and 7-year-olds.
When children feel heard and understood they feel safe and in that feeling of safety they are able to be who they really are. Building foundations like this for children is imperative for any true evolution.
When children are connected to they get confirmed in everything that they know.
Johanna, your Teaching Philosophy is inspiring and enriching for children and adults alike, The foundations for a true way of being and expressing from a trusted inner confidence that will support them throughout their lives.
Johanna, thank you for sharing your experience of working with children. I love what you are sharing and how you put the children first and the learning then naturally comes. From my experience children are wise and are keen learners if we empower and support them.
Imagine all our interactions if others felt valued and appreciated for their beauty before anything took place. Thanks Johanna for this reminder that this is what we truly crave in our day to day not academia and knowledge.
In reading this I am brought out of the daily struggles of being a teacher and back to the joy of what the job is about- children and really enjoying them first and foremost and then from there- doing what is needed.
The different questions that you offer for teachers to consider with the children they support are wise beyond words, and offer a whole new way of understanding what a teacher is here to bring.
Great teaching philosophy – we need more of it. I have experienced teaching with purpose and what transpires is what Johanna touches on. There is a joy to the teaching because it becomes real with everyone included without judgement but a sense of bringing what you know through the teacher’s reflection of what it feels like to be connected to the all with everyone being there.
I love the fact that these are not ideals or desired ways of living but actually something that is lived by you Johanna and hence they come with much authority, realness and make basic common sense as does anything that is expressed from our body.
I was in a classroom yesterday with a group of children who can at times display quite challenging behaviours. Sometimes I can feel a tension in my body when I go in to teach certain classrooms as I can feel all the dynamics at play and there is an expectation that teachers should ‘have control’. Yesterday I said to myself, no matter what is going on for the kids, I will not go into a tension in my body. I will stay steady and just respond with whatever is needed. I noticed that yes, the kids still displayed some challenging behaviours but I didn’t ‘join the battle’ with them, instead I observed it, pulled up what was needed, disciplined where I needed too and then was able to really enjoy the kids and the whole class settled. It was an awesome experience.
What a great example that in any situation the wisest thing we can do, is to deeply connect to ourselves, and instead of fighting, surrender to what is going on, consciously observing and lovingly responding as is required. It is like the car going into a skid, we need to stay present, steady, go with the flow and respond as is required in the moment. Getting anxious, emotional and reactive will have us complicate the issue big time.
Apply your teaching philosophy to adults and I am sure will work just as well, at the end of the day when we know someone genuinely cares about us we are far more productive, on it and joyful.
Awesome to explore the real responsibility of a teacher as for so many it can appear to get lost within all the targets and paperwork etc. Connecting with children is crucial to guide the learning process in the most productive way and underpinning all of this is the care that teachers take of themselves so they can reflect this to the children and be fully present when they are teaching.
Truly there are no teachers , there are only learners or students. A child is constantly learning the environment that is there for the learning is the key to how a child learns , what you are presenting Johanna to the kids is freedom to learn a beholding that gives them permission to express. Building an environment as you do will allows the kids to learn what they know.
Your teaching philosophy sure works, we need more schools and teachers to pick this up and run with it, wow would we have a better society if we all got taught like this.
I know some of my most pivotal moments and greatest lessons in life when I was young was initiated by my school teachers – I just wonder if many of them actually appreciate how crucial they are for so many of us in shaping our daily lives as adults.
What you have described here Johanna can only go on to build a strong foundation for any child, and not a bad memory that they will carry around forever. If I get it into my head that I can’t do something, I tell myself I can’t do it yet, and as I am currently re-imprinting the learning process at the age of 56, I am finding the ‘I can’t do that’ has been coming up a lot, so it makes me wonder at what age did I tell myself that when it came to learning new things at school. It is interesting to see how these things are still playing out after all of these years, so not surprising the teachers are really important to the learning process.
Your blog is inspiring and also indicative of the responsibility we all naturally have throughout life in general as we are in truth all teachers as we are also all students. Forever learning from each other from the lessons and aspects of life others have mastered.
I love what you are teaching children, how to live life honouring themselves, each other and how to remain “in their fullness and amazingness within society and Our World”. This is an education and support that we could all do with, regardless of our age. What a blessing you are in the lives of your young pupils.
A great article on what it means to bring real connection, care and support in the classroom for children to feel and connect in this way is hugely inspiring and shows that when we are ourselves and interact with others in this way it allows them to thrive and honour who they are in the process creating a great learning environment for all. Thank you Johanna.
Johanna, I loved reading this article, this way of educating children makes absolute sense, encouraging and nurturing children and offering true role models, what a difference this would make to children’s enjoyment of school and to their self confidence; knowing that they are already amazing.
Johanna I love everything about this, a teacher can change shape and our lives forever and we remember the people who care enough to do this lifelong. I love that part of your principles is to continually ask how further can you support the kids and is there anything you could do differently – what an amazing education to provide.
It is so true Johanna that we are already all-knowing, and what supports children best is to be confirmed of this truth from day one, so they learn to live guided by their inner-knowingness and wisdom, their connection to their body and being, and naturally live the power of who they essentially are.
I love what you have expressed Carola. Supporting children right from the beginning to “live guided by their inner-knowingness and wisdom, their connection to their body and being, and naturally live the power of who they essentially are”. Now that sounds like true education to me.
So true Johanna. Education can be taught and the wisdom of how to be as you learn can be shared.
What an amazing blog Johanna, thank you for inspiring us with your teaching philosophy, if all children were met with such love, acceptance and understanding there would definitely be no delinquent children, this should be out there as a Code of practise for all teachers, also for all of us as a way of relating to ourselves and with all others.
A joy to read. Thank you Johanna. I have not taught young children for years and I start soon as a volunteer assistant in our local primary school and I feel very confirmed and inspired by your teaching philosophy.
As an adult I am certainly still learning to walk in the unwavering trust of myself, without changing an ounce to suit my boss or others in life. And to express myself as I feel in love and in truth. If this was modelled and reflected to all children when they were young, we would have a very different world. We would have a world where we walk around not just in adult bodies but with the movements of maturity and responsibility too.
Love what you have written here – just taking the 3 key elements… imagine if everyone was met with your first key element from day 1: “to make sure they know that they matter and are valued” that would make a huge difference to the world and of course we can’t truly value others if we don’t value ourselves hence key element 2. In relation to point 3 we are all teachers and students in life and equality is our truth and therefore joyful. The value in living like this is so obvious, that you might question how do we manage to mostly not live that way?
This entire blog should be a global Code of Practice for teaching – it simply covers everything! Any student is very blessed to have you as their teacher Johanna.
One of the first things I noticed in the article was the need for a caring voice…. This is spot on as tone is so important for little kids… it has a deep affect upon them, either hammering or supporting , depending.
Children respond best to true connection, so if as adults we take responsibility of meeting and respecting them for who they are knowing that we can also learn so much about ourselves from their reflections we can then understand that we are all teachers of life when we choose to connect to another.
How many of us change when we are in the company of others? How many of us know who we truly are and live from this place while in the company of others? How often do we compromise when in the company of others? These are questions I have been pondering on recently and becoming more aware of in my day. It is a responsibility and I feel a big one at that to truly be ourselves and live from our truth. It can not only inspire our children but everyone in some way, shape or form.
Sometimes adults put on a face around children and pretend things are okay or play them down, this is very confusing for a child and it interferes with them developing the ability to read, understand and be able to deal with life. Being honest with children is a huge support as it confirms in them what they are feeling, supports them to build understanding and learn about life.
I am with you MW. I have heard enough accounts to show that most of us when we look back at our own life have had those moments when we started doubting that innocent awareness and knowing within us. It is crazy having had this experience that we would continue the pattern by dealing the same to the young ones around us now that we are the adults.
It’s great to read people are out there in all works of life doing things like this. I was pretty amazed at the 3 key elements to the teaching philosophy that were listed here and with a few words changes you could apply them to life as well. It’s lovely as well to know there are teachers out there bringing this much needed change to the system like this and it will only ever be changed from the inside out. We are needing to continue to change how we see each other whether it’s children or just people. This approach is bringing more understanding not only to children, education but also life.
We are all teachers in life and through out quality can model a truer way of being.
Absolutely brilliant blog Johanna! Your blog is very, very inspiring, not only for teachers but for parents too. The gems you’ve shared can be applied to our parenting and how we relate to children. I have two gorgeous children and your blog is very supportive and inspires me to deepen my connection with myself first and my connection with my children will naturally deepen too.
Treating kids equally, looking after yourself (so you are all there) and having fun – sounds like a marvellous recipe for education!
Whether we are a teacher, parent, nanny, any environment where there are children we can learn so much from children. As a parent of three children and with each child different in their expression there is never a dull moment to reflect and ponder on.
There is much Wisdom in your writing Johanna. How wonderful if we all received that feeling of being met when we were young.
I totally agree Katie. I learn so much from children. The more I am truly equal with them the more they share with me and treat me as an equal. The wisdom that then pours out of their mouths never stops to amaze me.
Johanna, I love your comments about instilling those basic things into kids- trusting themselves alone is huge! We have an epidemic of self doubting adults and it shows in the rampant anxiety we live with and think is ‘normal’. It doesnt have to be this way and we can start by keeping what is naturally there, instead of imposing from what we want kids to be like.
Love this blog Johanna . “I have come to the understanding that children know a lot more than we as adults give them credit for. They know and sense what way works best for them…” Very true. If we treat them with equalness, observe and listen to them they can share amazing wisdom.
It is very often us as adults that get uncomfortable and look down on our children to not get exposed for the choices we are making. Children have so much to offer if we are open to it.
As a child and even today my greatest learning is in observation. We are constantly studying and observing each other. It reminds me that everything I am expressing is reflecting and communicating something to others and the great responsibility we each hold because of this.
How many of us have been astounded by the profound wisdom expressed by a little one despite of their age? Sadly our societies have not been geared toward honouring appreciation and confidence in the exquisite sensitivity and deep awareness each of us have. It is delightful reading how by personal example and your relationship with the children in your care you are changing the trend for them.
Johanna I have now heard many examples of teachers, living by example, honouring and self caring, understanding that this is the foundation for the child to feel and relate to the reflection of the teacher. Kids have a very keen sense of what is said as opposed to what is lived, they are not fooled by words, false engagement, and bored teachers. They respond with true glorious expression, stillness and learning becomes natural. When I read you blog Johanna it makes my heart sing to read your philosophy and the divine reflection you are for the children.
What a gorgeously powerful blog that needs to be seen and understood by government officials and policy makers connected with our education system. This philosophy and wisdom has to be incorporated into our education system, which most of us know is not working, one only has to see how most children are coping with life.
I just love your teaching philosophy Johanna; reading it brought me to tears as I could feel how absolutely needed this way of teaching is in our world, and how today it is virtually nowhere to be seen. I could feel the truth that you are bringing to the children you teach, and know that this gift they are being offered will stay with them forever, whether they realise it, or not..
Thank you for sharing your inspirational blog, I would love that people who train teachers get chance to read this , and your other posts on teaching. I think the Government and policy makers in education also should read this, education has lost its way at present, and needs some help to bring it back to what truly counts.
Expressed amazingly – thank you Richard.
How incredibly lucky are your students to have you – as their equal – in the classroom?!? So so lucky. And I love what you share about that it must be lived for it to be truly shared and seen – otherwise it is just words.
Thanks Sarah. It’s so true. Kids can pick up falseness a mile away and although they may at times play the game with it to get by in the education system – it really is special to see a child surrender and be themselves in a classroom, knowing that the what they do will never be the determinant for who they are – because the who they are has already been confirmed as amazing by the quality they feel from the connection they are met with.
when children are respected and valued in the way that Johanna writes about, they literally light up from the inside out, and their lives cannot help but be expanded and of such a different quality.
Johanna I want to be in your class! The most important points I felt were how you make it all about the children before the tasks, and that you care for yourself in a way that ensures you will bring fullness and quality to your teaching. Considering that teachers spend as much time with the children as do their parents highlights how important connection and personal quality of living are.
Thank you Anne. Teachers do spend a great deal of time with children and often I feel that many think teachers are only there to do the job of educating when actually there are so many elements to being with children for 7 hours every day.
Thank you, Johanna. I love your teaching philosophy. When children are in school they are learning so much more than the set curriculum. A teacher who inspires children to know who they are and express freely are certainly worth their weight in gold.
Absolutely and now that more teachers are living the self care and love they are, and sharing that quality with their students – the reflection will spread. Thanks to amazing global sites such as teachersaregold.com where teachers are supported to be in the appreciation of all they bring and do on the profession.
I wonder Johanna what our life would be like if we were to apply the approach you outline to everyone that we meet not just kids? For surely underneath whatever is on the surface we all want underneath to know too that we “matter and are valued”. Many of us are a bit like kids in grown up bodies. We lack as a world the understanding and true compassion you mention, and most of all a way of valuing people for just who they are, no what they do or how they behave.
I totally agree Joseph. We are like grown up kids in adult bodies and everyone does crave connection and to be met in full first before any outcome or task is asked of us. Adults do carry with them all they experienced and felt in childhood. The thing is we can either make our interactions very honouring with each other in life or not. One will support what we feel deep with in and the other will confirm the function way of being in life which brings no true fulfilment.
It is deeply beautiful philosophy to live the way you do and from that inspire others to feel the truth and beauty in that and then choose that way for themselves as well. As such children are not seen as being deficient of anything in need of attaining something outside of themselves, but rather everything already just needing to be expressed outwardly and then nurtured for whatever that is.
The truest and best inspiration comes from reflection – walking the walk and talking the talk’ this is one of the many great things I have learnt from Serge Benhayon.
It is very powerful what you’re offering here Johanna, as it is also the answer to teacher-burnout. Self-care and ensuring your own body is not becoming depleted and run down as a result of the demands of a job, is essential. You sound far from burnt-out, but more like a first year enthusiastic graduate… before the system has worn them down to become jaded and perfunctory as a way to survive.
Very true Jenny. It is the answer to teacher burnout, teacher overwhelm and everything that teachers feel that is not of the passion, knowing and appreciation they are here to bring and first entered with.
Everyday that I teach – especially when I teach as a relief teacher today, I appreciate just how not affected I am by the issues and dilemmas that go on around me. From this place I am able to see and feel how to truly support the kids in my care.
Love how you live this philosophy Johanna. Such clear purpose, commitment and service – a way of being that does not and cannot just sit in the intellectual mind..
Thank you Jenny. I wrote this blog many years ago but it is still living in my way with how I am in my work, with children and in schools. Today I work in and out of many schools and it is amazing to feel the consistency that I bring to every classroom I’m in. Even if the kids at times misbehave or aren’t feeling themselves, I am still able to engage with them in a supportive and caring way. Self care has held me in great stead for the many experiences I encounter and boy oh boy do I feels all the gems and magical moments that take place with children because of my lived philosophy.
Love how you live this philosophy Johanna. Such clear purpose, commitment and service – a way of being that does not just sit in the intellectual mind..
It is a great point raised about how to build on relationships with children, when there is already a foundation of meeting them and reflecting through ones body and manner a quality of life. It may mean the difference between inspiring those who align and meet you back and being able to even inspire those who resist from their own hurts and are not open to you. That building for me comes down to a Livingness where children are met and understood not for their chronological age, but for their ageless wisdom. At the same time, their is a capacity to read that they know all the tricks in their own agelessness and therefore, with total respect and decency, they are equally able as adults are to process all the truth that love and understanding can offer.
‘My philosophy is a lived one. It is lived each day by me in full to the best of my ability, with no perfection but definitely with a loving intention and dedication. A Living and Lived philosophy!’ Wow simple yet very powerful Johanna, if all teachers took this level of love, care and dedication how different the student’s experience of school would be. Thank you Johanna for sharing your lived ways – it is very inspiring and supportive to read.
This is a huge blog with so much in it but at its essence is that if we connect to ourselves we connect to our students and from there real learning can occur.
Absolutely Vanessa. If we connect to all this the real learning can take place and the educational learning that currently needs to take place will be far easier as it will be done from honouring the whole of our being.
Having educators like you Johanna no doubt sets the foundations for a harmonious way of living. Admirable work.
Thank you Joe. I look at it as a point of reflection and we all know teachers do not only teach – they wear many hats for many children. For me each class that I enter are like family and deserve the same level of respect. For some children this may not be what they get at home so it’s very supportive for them to feel this level of care from a teacher.
Johanna, it is beautiful to come back to read this article, I find it utterly inspiring, your teaching philosophy is amazing and if applied in all schools would change the whole schooling system – we would have confident children and thus confident adults, no comparison and competition, children that felt loved and supported – and it is so simple and straightforward.
Thank you Rebecca. This way of being in education would turn the system on its head and ask of a great deal more responsibility for how everyone else in the system is too.
Our society would be bursting at the seams with very claimed and loving beings.
I love what you’ve shared Johanna, the depth and wisdom in it is quite profound, and yet makes such simple sense. What a blessing for the kids you teach to have what you are offering… it will set them up with a foundation that can last a lifetime. I know some of my most memorable and influential teachers were at quite a young age.
Thanks Jenny. This is the power of love in reflection in education. It actually gives the kids a marker of what is true education and how they deserve to be treated – as a person with great wisdom and not just a outcome producing number who is good at recall. But without any marker our kids are left with the latter as the ‘norm’. Slowly slowly it may change but one day it would be amazing for all education to be like this. I am sure there would be far less stress and teen suicide statistics also.
It is so important that we raise our kids to love themselves and the other way we can do it is to love ourselves first so that they see what that is like in action. No amount of telling kids to love and honour themselves is going to work if we do not love ourselves first.
This is extremely important Elizabeth. We must love ourselves in order to reflect this to children.
Thank you Johanna for raising and elaborating on an important point. Children know a lot more than we give them credit for and this includes knowing how they best learn. Not everyone learns the same way, so bringing the most out of children will depend on meeting them for who they are, observing and it totally makes sense, bringing learning into play rather than keeping it as a separate process. What an impact it would have on the world if future generations were encouraged to explore that play and work can be one and the same?
I learn a great deal from children everyday. I especially love how the younger ones have no boundaries with who they play or sit with and how open they are with their communication and discussions.
Coming back to this blog and reading some of the comments really brought home to me the impact we have on each other when in a consistent relationship with someone, like with a teacher for a whole school year or our own work colleges if we work for somewhere long enough. It’s these longer term relationships that cement our perceptions on the world whereas the fleeting acquaintances only provide a moment of feeling potential, which I can feel there has been an avoidance in letting go of old perceptions of the world and others being something to guard against. The quality that I bring reflects a reality out to all others, that we are to remain hard and guarded with one another or we can learn to live light and open with each other and this can be our normal. Thank you Johanna.
Thank you, Johanna. I love your teaching philosophy. How incredible it is for the kids that you teach to have someone like yourself be in their classroom with such a philosophy. It is clear that it is something that you live rather than just something that you wish you could live and that is what makes all the difference.
I was in nursery teaching before I had my own children and I saw very quickly that being a teacher was not actually about have to ‘teach’ as the children didn’t need telling it was already all there. I discovered it was simply to offer guidance and support and what was there would come out in its own time. When I had my own children I witnessed the same thing, so never expected them to be doing anything by a certain age. e.g. reading, writing etc. The part that I have learnt further now though is this and the importance of expressing it to them “Just be You. You are already Awesome. Now let’s give you the support and training in all subjects while you ascertain what you feel drawn to pursue and thus study further so you may eventually bring your awesomeness to the world, in the profession in which you choose to bring it.” Thank you Johanna for sharing your awesome teaching philosophy.
Thank you Julie. I absolutely love what you have shared here. What a beautiful observation to have while being a nursery teacher and a mother. How delicious for the children you are around to feel that you already had the understanding that they came with great wisdom.
A truly inspiring philosophy that changes the nature and expectations of teaching and broadens the scope of the opportunities and responsibilities that a teacher has in directly influencing the evolution of our children.
Thank you Cathy. Yes this blog does share the true responsibility we have as teachers and really as people in life. The thing is this level of energetic responsibility and integrity is always there, it is just that we as a society, as a humanity have strayed so very far from it that we don’t even seem to have it in our conscious awareness and daily interactions. In fact we seem to be going the other way that causes much harm.
It really should be 101 at university.
I love what you are offering others with this blog, especially teachers, parents. If we consider the sheer time that our children are in the care of teachers and in school I find it mind boggling that we do not place more attention on connection as a requirement to support learning and development.
Me too Sarah. Teachers and parents both need to have a realistic appreciation for this and a good look at the support that we can all offer the kids and each other as adults in a child’s life. For me I see any adult as having a responsibility to any child in the sense of sharing true care, respect, support and love and in the reflection they provide.
What I have found with the teachers I have met so far through my eldest daughters schooling is that they are there because they enjoy being with the kids. Yet the school system has worn them down and they are now tightly wound balls of stress. Every year when my daughter is assigned a new teacher (as she is in primary school) I make a point of connecting with them, talking with them, sharing, and offering support in terms of working with them for the benefit of my daughter and them. What I have also noticed is that in the stressed state teachers find it hard to connect, but when I walk into the class room with my natural lightness and playfulness, they seem to settle and take a moment to breathe, and connect with me. This is what is needed. Space to connect, to get to know the kids, space for all to breathe, rather than keeping up what seems like an insane pace of learning that is now currently implemented across our education system. There is no real education in this way, as we are losing teachers to burnout, kids are getting left behind in their learning, and the rise in bullying and rough behaviour are all indications that the education system is not working as it currently stands. Thank goodness there are teachers like you, Johanna, that can reflect a way to not only withstand the pressure put on teachers but a way to truly care for yourself and the children as well. Thank you, and thank you to mums like me also!
Absolutely to mums like you. Thank you for your amazing sharing and beautiful appreciation.
Johanna I felt as I was reading this blog that you understood that all the qualities you described that we could assist children to retain while they experience the maze that is education – qualities that are natural to their essence such as unwavering trust, self care, honouring of themselves and clear expression – are the same ones that educators must also reclaim, embody and live for themselves. Then being an ‘educator’ becomes easy peasy. As you rightly state, Children feel everything and learn from all that is not said more so that what is.
Absolutely Simon. Educators must reclaim and live this for themselves first and foremost.
Very true and perfectly said Samantha.
Basically if we teach from our heart and come from a place of love no amount of knowledge can compare. The energy of real love and compassion will always go way beyond any form of education that is based on recall.
It would be the most amazing experience for children to have teachers with the philosophy that you have shared here Johanna! Having had a few Teachers in the family on all sides, three generations (including My Grandparents) I can see the difference in teaching styles that have been the norm for each different generation, and what was considered the way it was done. I can see the more accommodating and sensitive way that the younger generation look at, and use in their teaching style. Definitely much for all to learn from yourself and your way of being with children in such a loving and supportive way
It has become the normal to be rough and abusive with each other in the playground because we have allowed and it has not been called out and no one has offered another way, but it really doesn’t have to be this way.
Well said Rosie, completely new standards need to be introduced, unfortunately abuse is mostly the norm in playgrounds around the world this shows how lost we are as a society.
Standards set from a very simple yet caring way would support all. In my experience I have not had to add or put in extra time to bring a true quality to teaching. It’s truly a win win situation and yes if we continue as is, how will the ‘norm’ change to ever reflect truth.
Johanna, this article is truly amazing, what you have written would bring about incredible changes in schools if this was the general teaching philosophy, i observe in schools that children are allowed to be rough with each other, that in the school playground there is much fighting and little care and gentleness, the children are simply not being their gorgeous, gentle, amazing selves, I can feel how important it is for kids to know who they truly area and to be supported to live this.
Rereading your words today Johanna, I am touched by what a big impact this blog had on me, and continues to. You sum up how we actually are all teachers in our everyday choices, and how the guiding philosophy you mention applies so equally to people in our office or family. Meeting another, being real and caring for ourselves first are qualities the world is consistently teaching me, that I am here to share with others.
Great. We each have a responsibility to ourselves first and foremost to treat our bodies with absolute love and tenderness. From this, we can impart our livingness and share our lived wisdom with others, purely by inspiration. To see another live in harmony with themselves, others around them, and nature itself is truly inspiring – a great teacher in the less conventional sense – a beautiful role model.
What a great teaching philosophy and really a living philosophy that could apply to any job/position working with children! The self-care and acceptance and appreciation of ourselves just for being ‘us’ is what is cornerstone here, and would be tremendously supportive if it were introduced as a standard component of any teaching education and / or indeed any parenting education / support.
Johanna, it is very lovely to come back to your article, on reading this stood out for me, ‘In my teaching practice I know that children thrive when they: Are engaged with eye contact and a caring voice.’ Working in a school I’m aware that if the teachers speak in a caring voice and do not shout then the children feel safe and enjoy being in the class, if there is shouting or the teacher gets angry from speaking to children they do not feel safe and do not enjoy then being in the class.
“It is not another program to be implemented on top of everything else, to achieve something, but something that can be felt completely from the way each of us, as teachers, chooses to be first with ourselves, and then with others. This can then be brought to the children in the classroom and school environment.” This is so very poignant. It is an illusion to think we can just waltz in dictate a formula and have the loving impact described in this blog. We all ‘feel’ the whole life history any person is carrying with them, and whether we choose to be conscious of it or not it has an impact as well as the words spoken! This is how the same words can sound like a theory and dictation from one person, or an invitation to join them in that way of life by another. Completely different experience and impact. A great responsibility.
Very true Golnaz and Johanna. In this world most of us have grown up thinking that we put on certain ‘faces’ to best fit certain roles/situations and then drop that one and chose another one for the next situation and so on. Yet this is a farce to compartmentalise this way as our whole being is what is felt as soon as we enter a room or talk with someone on the phone, send an email or whatever. Children are such wise teachers for us all – they know and live all of this already.
What I love about your teaching philosophy Johanna is that it can apply to us all. We are all teachers and students of living and the quality that we all hold its worth sharing with all . Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us all.
“Just be You. You are already Awesome” what amazing words for a child to hear, this should be the foundation of our education system one that promotes self love, for a child to grow up not knowing who they are and devoid of self worth only leads to devastation later on. We had much rather get this right first before we promote any other educational activities.
And we can see that this really does apply to us all… Is a carpenter not there but to build a house in which we can be the best that we can, and is a bookkeeper not there but to help us to feel the flow of money which of course is energy in our lives, and does it not behove us all to bring all of us to the people we serve, look after, teach, work for, or employ… True responsibility is a river that runs incredibly deep.
Hear hear Chris we are all responsible for living the love that we are in full and bringing all of us to every aspect of life, for without that every one of us is will be less.
I am also a teacher who mainly teaches young adults, however, this doesn’t change the responsibility I have to bring that certain loving quality to my classrooms and students. I see each day as a opportunity to meet the students as equals, to celebrate and confirm them as much as I can so that they can start to understand that there is much more to life than the test scores. To the best of my ability I show them a steadiness that doesn’t judge them and that gives them the space to be themselves.
Thats awesome Eleanor, you are inspiring your students to see the bigger picture and in truth by celebrating and confirming them you are naturally brining out the best in them, this is a lesson that will serve them well for the rest of their life not just something they need to learn for the sake of an exam.
That’s awesome Eleanor. How lucky are they to have you !!!
I love what you have written Johanna. As a person who was very demotivated by school on many levels, I can feel how having a teacher like you would have a long lasting impression on a child allowing them to blossom into the confident, self-loving being that they innately are. What a blessing you must bring to each classroom!
you’re an inspiration. Not just a role model but a true role model of a living way that children can actually say ‘Yes! I want to be living like that too, and all I need to do is to be me!’ This is true education. It is not all about grades and marks but imparting a livingness of truth and love that ensures the qualities of future generations.
Johanna, I love the principles you share regarding our connection with others and how important it is to ‘engage with eye contact in a caring voice’, actually hear what someone needs to say so they ‘feel heard and understood’ and that they ‘are allowed the time to process information and develop in their own way’. I cannot help but realise that if we all lived in a world founded on these simple but profound principles our connections would transform the quality of all of our interactions for both little people or big people alike.
I love love love what Johanna covers in her teaching philosophy, because not only do I recognize it as all true, but I know the invaluable support this offers to each child and can imagine how amazing the world would be with that foundation laid out first and foremost in our lives. Yes Suse “If we all lived in a world founded on these simple but profound principles our connections would transform the quality of all of our interactions”. Very true.
I actually searched for a blog on education tonight to read as I sit with my two sons doing their homework, something that reminds me of the true purpose behind education, as I can often get caught up in the ‘task’, which doesn’t support them at all as they have already had big days at school with much of it being about ‘task first’. Reading your philosophy Johanna, my whole body stops and goes ‘yep that’s it!’, this is such a healing for all the children in the world, young and old to be reminded that we are amazing first before we do anything. Thank you!
…… It is so important to remember this as parents, to appreciate our children first for who they are and not for what they do or how well behaved they are.
as always I love rereading Yohanna’s blog… I noticed this time the point about having a caring voice… Research has shown that in primary schools up to 90% of information presented can be discarded according to the tone of the teacher’s voice… How extraordinary is that… And companies now know this, and tried to instill in people the awareness of tone… However children cannot be fooled, so if the teacher is ‘bunging it on” it will be noticed
Absolutely Chris- kids pick up on everything they just don’t get the space to share what the see and feel happening. Imagine if they did – boy oh boy!
That is interesting about the voice information you share. Also many teachers end up with throat problems because of the way they speak to groups day in day out. It simply isn’t needed.
We can all tell when a teacher or someone is bunging it on, or being nice to get what they want. It feels awful but more often than not we play along with it rather than call it out for what it is.
Children would be so blessed by being taught by you Johanna, so much wisdom you bring to the world as the children in your class have this foundation of being met for who they are with love and joy. Your philosophy is for all of us as we are all teachers, just living who we truly are, from the inside out.
Absolutely Johanne, what an amazing responsibility you hold, being with these little people who will one day run our businesses, go into politics, become a doctor or also become educators. But you have called out something even more important, which is how you live and you bringing all of your to what you do. That is the gold that the kids are receiving from you.
Teachers have a huge opportunity in influencing a childs life and your teaching philosophy Johanna should be a template for all in the education system
One of your questions that you ask yourself was Is my way of being, my classroom and conduct all about people first or task first? This should me number one in all schools. Too soon it is all about task and getting the job done.
This is a great question that could be asked in every household, workplace and school Heidi 🙂
I am in the process of picking a new school for my children for next year and would love to come across a school ‘moto’ like this one – ““Just be You. You are already Awesome. Now let’s give you the support and training in all subjects while you ascertain what you feel drawn to pursue and thus study further so you may eventually bring your awesomeness to the world, in the profession in which you choose to bring it.”
This is such a great conversation. Teachers would have chosen that career because they could feel a love for humanity and particularly children, but somewhere during the training & pressures for specific achievements in the job takes many away from that. This article brings it all back to that love, care and relating to the essence of every child as a foundation on which all the rest stands.
So true Golnaz, this could relate to so many jobs where the impulse to go into a profession was true from the start but then we can get lost in the pressure of ticking boxes. This blog beautifully shows that it is all about connection, have that first and then we can get anything done that is needed but without that connection its a constant struggle and drive.
Great lived philosophy Johanna! I love that you picked up that during term time you are with the students the same amount of time they have with their parents. In fact you have more influence because when they are with you they are predominantly awake! I found with a my children that th remember the teachers who met them, who listened to them, who accepted them for who they were beyond their behaviour. I see many teenagers now and find the same thing, they remember key teachers and the thing they have in common is an awareness that they are more than their behaviour. To have teachesr who approache teaching as you do would have a profound affect on the students but also on the teachers and their burnout and job satisfaction rates..
“I like to make sure the children know that they matter and are valued ” and “taking responsibility for truly caring for myself” are both such valid points Johanna and indeed applicable to anywhere we work with people. If we don’t love and care for ourselves, how can we love and care others?
And what a philosophy it is! What you are writing about is fundamental to society as all of us encounter schooling as we grow up. The philosophy you live by and apply to your teaching would entirely change the education system and subsequently have a profound effect on our society as a whole if it were to be lived and taught by all teachers. So the point you raise seems most apt – ‘If kids grow up to be adults who are living in their fullness, the rest of humanity benefits. So why is this not our main priority?’
Johanna – that felt so amazing my body loves your words and your expression of your light as a teacher. So beautiful and powerful a must read for all teachers of this world.
Johanna your love for humanity shines through, meeting each child’s eyes with respect is something they will never, ever forget.
That is true Johanna, Children can spot hypocrisy a mile away.
One can only hope that what you have expressed here becomes the foundation for the philosophy of the future when it comes to education… for this will develop vastly different children and adults than those that seem to get spat out into the world by a system that doesn’t truly honour or support them in being all they could be and all of who they are.
“spat out into the world”? That made me laugh although not really a laughing matter as the experience is harsh, unloving and leaves such great scars that we end up living with and lacing everyone in our lives with, including our young- and so it goes round and round. The deeply loving, honouring and supporting way that this blog and all the comments talk about is the way to make a true change that honours the children as well as all of us.
Yes Samantha absolutely this philosophy needs to become the blue print for all education, for what is education if it is void of love? If our education system does not foster the very thing we are made of (love) then we will only see more rise in illnesses, diseases and mental health problems.
This is exactly what has been missing from the education system, a system that these days places far too much emphasis on achieving grades above all else. If the school system let go of needing to control the outcome and focus instead on “Just be You. You are already Awesome” and teaching that already awesome child, then we would have totally different statistics to the ones that show such high rates of disengagement with school, and levels of depression in school age students.
This is absolutely brilliant Johanna. When children are met in this way, they feel honoured because it is an equalness. And this is what encourages people to bring out their full potential. It would be so awesome to be a teacher and get to work with awesome children everyday. And that you realise that you learn a lot everyday, is a true miracle in the education system.
I wish my teachers were like you. When I was young and even now. Sometimes you feel that teachers are there for themselves, to feel appreciated, to feel they are someone, to show off their progress and how much they know.
I love in your blog that one can feel how it is natural for you to care for the children and to connect to them. When you had to write it was natural because it is what you feel and have been doing for many years. I am sure they feel listened and met. That is beautiful and one can thrive with that support.
for a teacher to understand that the way they live really does affect the quality of the energy of their classrooms, the interactions with their students, and the inspiration that they can provide, and the understanding of the responsibility that they have, is a very powerful antidote to the ongoing intensity and stress that teachers have to work with in their everyday working life.
I find this a great observation and statement from Chris. Most teachers started the job because of their love for truly supporting children and our future generations. And then they find themselves in the midst of a myriad of things that brings stress and intensity to their working day. Understanding that a teacher already has a profound impact on the energy of the classrooms, what the children receive through every interaction and in fact through just observing their teacher as a potential role model, the teaching and inspiration that this alone provides aside from the information passed on, is immensely empowering.
Yes Chris, teachers have an enormous power and if we told that their quality of energy and how they live effects everything about their job in the classroom then boy would that change things.
It is so true Johanna when you say that children sense hypocrisy a mile away. We are all born with a natural radar for truth and children are great at calling out and exposing anything they feel is not true. As we grow up and our expression of truth is cut down and or ignored we stop sharing this awareness and give up speaking our truth – to the great detriment of humanity.
I love this as it is relevant to all of us as we are all children at heart and all teachers as well. A beautiful philosophy. Thank you Johanna.
I agree Elaine – I felt the child within me when reading this and also the teacher.
It doesn’t matter what anyone says, children respond to love. Everybody remembers their loving teacher with fondness. I can barely recall any of the others.
As you wrote Johanna children feel everything and notice every detail about the teacher, there is a great responsibility.
School is torture if there is the slightest bullying. The atmosphere must be of equality and harmony or, even if child is not engaged with the care they deserve, learning is stifled. Learning is play when there is a safe fun atmosphere.
Spot on Bernard! I can still remember how amazing my grade 2 teacher felt, which was a long time ago, her warmth and understanding. This has stayed with me more than anything I learnt in that grade.
I hated school, especially primary school – no lets be truthful, I hated both primary and secondary. I always felt traumatised and had been treated so poorly that I was in ‘flight or fight’ mode most of the time. When I read here that one of your key practices as a teacher is to allow the student to ‘develop in their own way’, I could feel the power in this truth and how healing and honouring this is Johanna. These students will long be appreciative of your qualities of love and holding them as worthwhile equals! Go YOU! Appreciate yourself!
Johanna, I agree with so many of the comments in that I wish you were my teacher! “Just be You. You are already Awesome. Now let’s give you the support and training in all subjects while you ascertain what you feel drawn to pursue and thus study further so you may eventually bring your awesomeness to the world, in the profession in which you choose to bring it.”
The above paragraph is just Divine and one I will write down and repeat to myself! That I may embody it and then reflect it to All whom I meet 🙂
I love returning to this blog. The powerful message of living a life that supports us to deeply connect with ourself and to take that love and connection into all aspects of our life. How this ensures everything we touch is imbued with love and whoever we speak with feels met and is offered the love and honouring which inspires their own love and connection with themselves. And so it goes round. Every single one of us that chooses this make a profound difference to loads of people we interact with. How perfect and how profound is it that we can choose to provide this reflection to the young so that they are blessed with this fundamental foundation for the rest of their lives.
“A Living and Lived philosophy,” that is a beautiful philosophy for life and inspires others to share how awesome they are without reservations or perfections. That is an absolutely amazing foundation for life itself. Thank you Johanna.
Such a beautiful teaching philosophy Johanna and should be one that every one who has access to children holds. If every teacher shared a similar philosophy how different would the outcome for the children be – how amazing would it be for them all to be seen for who they truly are and embraced and supported in such way to enable them to know and understand themselves and be able to live to the true potential of who they are. The effect on society would be huge as there would also be less incidence of children turning to drugs, alcohol and other ways of numbing the pain of never having been met for who they truly are.
I can only say WOW after reading this blog in fact my mouth was open in awe like a goldfish right from the start. What you write is so very beautiful Johanna and does not only apply to teaching but to how we all relate to each other. Everyone is super sensitive and everyone wants to know that they are valued, matter and cared for and we all like to have fun and purpose!
If only education considered your first teaching philosophy point of valuing students for who they are and not what they can achieve, we might move about from the over emphasis on constant assessment rather than engaging in meaning learningl
Thank you Johanna for sharing this great blog ,this is my second read and an emphatic wow. I had some great teachers through my education but I would have preferred you and what yo bring. Vote 1 Johanna minister for education.
Funny. I laughed as I read your comment. Thank you.
Thank you Johanna for sharing your philosophy. The first two points about meeting children for who they are and caring for yourself so you can truly care for children, would naturally take care of the third, it seems to me, which is making learning fun and spontaneous. There is of course a balance to be stuck with teaching the curriculum, but without putting what you have stated first, I have found it is easy to get lost in the ‘to do’s and education becomes heavy and a bore.
I agree Simon – school for me became exactly that and I checked out!
All teachers having your philosophy Johanna, would make an amazing educational experience. Not only for the children, but your fellow colleagues and parents blessed to have this quality of teacher entrusted with their child.
When we are children the world and everyone we meet is our classroom and there is so much more to learn than facts and figures. An inspiring role model is the teacher who cares for themselves and meets every person with love and openness, a person who is willing to share ideas and allow everyone to express and develop their own philosophy of life.
This is such a beautiful “my quality as the teacher, the space, the engagement and interaction I provide in every moment of every day, will determine what is reflected to the children, what will be felt by them, and what will be there to inspire them or not”. This is so honouring of the children. And what a great way to be with absolutely everyone.
Johanna I love your teachers philosophy, what you are doing is truly empowering children to be their true awesomeness, and allowing them to grow in their own path. What you share, children can feel everything and as teachers you spend a lot of time with them, therefore you have great responsibility in how you live , as your Livingness will be a point of reflection and inspiration for them. Just like parents teachers are living role models.
Although the way teachers are with our children has improved over the years, we still have a long way to go. I get the feeling the teachers are rushing through the lessons to get everything done in time and to be able to tick all the boxes. I do understand that there is a lot of pressure on teachers these days to be able to keep up with the many demands all designed to chart performances. But in the process children who can not keep up or who have different qualities get left behind and there is no excuse for that. We should definitely stop making it all about grades and performance. It is very clear that humanity has taken a few wrong turns along the way and not only where education is concerned. How can we expect teachers to connect with children the way you do Johanna when they are not connected with themselves to begin with. I trust you are the inspiration of many around you and sure would have loved having you as my teacher.
‘As teachers we have the potential to not only teach but to fully support children in learning how to be in their fullness and amazingness within society and Our World. This means – how they actually are with others!!! If kids grow up to be adults who are living in their fullness, the rest of humanity benefits.’
This blog is gold and so supportive as I raise my three children with my husband.”I have come to the understanding that children know a lot more than we as adults give them credit for. They know and sense what way works best for them…”. This is very true and something I am learning to support our children with. I often have moments where I stop myself and allow them to do things in their way as in the past I would have intervened and done what I felt was best! We get to see their expression, from folding up their clothes to making a picture.
I agree – we remember our inspiring teachers for life and they often have a big influence on us as a role model even long after we may have outgrown them in terms of worldly achievements.
What a beautifully and clearly articulated way of being as a teacher you describe here, and one which addresses the needs of children in a deeply loving and dedicated way. I feel many teachers are committed to what you describe and yet find themselves bogged down by a system that is more about results than quality of interaction.
“Is my way of being, my classroom and conduct all about people first or task first?” This is the question I ask myself continuously also, and, like yourself, can feel instantly when the balance is out. I know for children it is always about people first and so teachers have a huge responsibility to honour that, whilst doing our best to accommodate the demands of a system that does not necessarily agree with that at all!
It is especially important I think Johanna, as teachers to allow people the time and space to integrate what they are feeling, hearing and seeing. So often we are driven to deliver more and more information as if this is true teaching and will achieve better outcomes.
The greatest lessons we learn are about life, such as who we are, how to honour ourself and one another, how to live that expression in daily life. Only then we have a foundation and framework to place all the bits of knowledge we are bombarded with at school. Teachers like you Johanna Smith are Gold, in the way that you offer the foundation by simply how you live and how you meet every student. Then they are well set to receive the knowledge provided and go forward with it in a way that serves and honours their life.
The support a teacher can offer hinges on the way they live themselves. It’s an ultimate responsibility that few uphold with the intention here written about. In arguable our most formable years, this is when true role models and support to allow kids to shine and stay shining matters.
That is Beautiful Oliver – teachers that support us to shine and stay shinning. Wow the world would be bright and light.
I enjoyed the simple point in this blog about how meeting chidlren came from a quality of meeting oneself and caring for oneself. Then the meeting of others comes from a wellbeing in ones body and aura and not from trying to meet them and be a certain way with them from how we should be. Many teachers I have observed get totally drained trying to be a good teacher, when they miss out on this fundamental first step – self care and self love. Children and in truth, everyone, feel the difference of being met in these two qualitatively very different ways. One leads to a joyful, spontaneous and alive interaction where learning is natural and easy. The other leads to cooperation or resistance and a managed, hard labour interaction where in truth there is no learning that does not become a filed away memory to drag out for exams.
So well said, Simon. Working as a teacher, I have observed many teachers put themselves last when it comes to self care and / or self love. Hence, the refection offered to another generation can be that it is about working oneself to the bone in apparent sacrifice to others. I have started to ask parents and teachers, ” Would you like to see your children sacrificing their self care in their lives?” As you say, that is the message we offer if we live in disregard of ourselves. In my classroom, there is a decided increase in organisation and self care in the children when I am in full swing with both!
I completely agree Johanna, Simon and Coleen – self-care is an essential first step before we can care for others. Children and grownups are far more aware than we give them credit for and we all feel what is going on with each other. If we are loving towards ourselves not only do we have that love to share with others we also provide them with an inspiration and alternate reflection to the high level of abuse and lack of self-care we see in society today.
A truly beautiful testimony of where the future of education lies that reflects what we learn yesterday, how are we living together and how is the tomorrow we are helping to build.
“Taking responsibility for truly caring for myself. ” I feel this is an area a lot of teachers miss and appreciation for themselves and all they bring to a classroom and school. I have observed how teachers often dismiss what they need in terms of looking after and deeply caring for themselves. I know when I don’t care for myself and disregard how I feel, I end up exhausted and reactive , this definitely has an impact on how I am and how I teach and everyone else – Not cool. As does when I deeply care, love, nurture and appreciate myself – this results in a boundless amount of love, joy and vitality that I feel and share with everyone I meet.
Teachers are so important and have such great impact on children. I remember many details from my childhood (unfortunately not many positive).
So yes in their education should be how do I take care of me and how do i start to love myself and appreciate me for who I am!
Johanna, you have laid out a template for so many professions. The truth is that we adults are in as much need of respect and care as children. we all want to be met for who we are, not what we do. I would love to take your philosophy to the Australian Dental Association and say “check this out!” Here is our next step in professional development.
Wonder what they would say?
Perhaps they would say a huge and resounding “yes”?
Great point Rachel about following up with this in our work places and related associations as it is surely just as applicable.
Upon reading a few of these comments like Johanna’s way is some revolutionary new technique when really it’s as old as love itself. I would say it is natural; it is just only normal in isolated pockets. What we accept as normal is actually not natural.
What a great philosophy you have towards teaching Johanna. I would love to have had you as my teacher. As you say there is a great responsibility in being a teacher and schooling can influence a large part of our lives in later life. What I got from this blog is how much you love and appreciate your work, what a blessing for both you and the children you teach, and what a fantastic reflection for the other teachers at your school.
Thankyou Johanna. This is quite a wonderful article. it made me realise that I can’t hold any expectations against others, because that is simply placing my hopes onto them. True responsibility is accepting that we can’t change another and instead bringing our focus back to ourselves so we can understand a situation more.
Well said Harrison, we can only offer, not live with an investment in mind.
Johanna whilst reading your article I got such a sense of the children that you teach being unfettered. Of them being confirmed for how incredible they already are and of them being inspired by you. What an incredible contrast to what is currently offered in many classrooms worldwide.
Thank you Alexis. I was just appreciating yesterday as my class and I were packing and cleaning up after a construction exercise- how beautifully they worked together and supported each other. They had some laughs and got the job done together.
I appreciated that they had a sense of freeness about them while still at school. And that they were working much like a gorgeous family. I also appreciated that the way I am with them allowed them to be more of who they are while at school.
Johanna… When are you running for Minister for Education… Bringing your outstanding philosophy and awareness to the classrooms throughout the state, and then throughout the nation. When we look at some of the statistics on teachers and stress, it becomes even more important than what you are presenting is heard at the highest levels.
Hear Hear!
Good point Chris, it would be great that all teachers know about this and that it become part of their training.
Hello Johanna, I have found that parents can do their bit as well. If parents connect and take the time and care with teachers they tend to look after the children more. If we just drop our children to school and use them as a ‘baby sister’ well then we shouldn’t expect much in return so we all can play a part. Don’t leave things to others in this way. I see if the children are having trouble at school or a teacher is ‘not doing’ what we think they should be doing well then become involved. Not to criticise or to push anyone around but to see what’s going on, to see if the teacher is ok. Teachers are people just like us, all have ‘normal’ lives outside of school. They have chosen their field of expertise but that doesn’t mean we just should expect them to do everything and be able to cope with everything. We all play apart and should support each other. I have a great relationship at the school my children go to, not so they favour anyone but because they are great people and I enjoy their company and respect what they have to say. So I develop a relationship with them as people not as teachers or not looking for them to fix any problem I may have. They are people first with ‘problems’ and pressures just like me and so I just connect to that first, that they are a real person. Thanks Johanna, great blog.
What you have shared Raymond is a great reminder that the philosophy that Johanna is outlining is one to applied everywhere in life. We are ALL human beings, deserving and craving care, respect, being connected to as ‘who we are at our essence’. This level of honouring has an opening and expansive effect on everyone we interact with as well as in our own lives.
I totally agree Raymond. It is up to all of us to support children to grow. In my view every adult has this responsibility if they are around children.
How amazing would it be if all our young were supported to develop trust, honour and self care in themselves. If we got this right it would lay the foundations of their future – there would be no need for eating disorder clinics/ mental health hospitals etc because our future generations would have the self love in their bodies to know how to deeply honour and care for themselves.
Indeed Samantha, how amazing would it be. And since it is the young that grow up and shape the world, here in your comment lays the answer to turning our world round.
Johanna, with dedicated and committed teachers, such as yourself, showing the same level of care to yourself as well as your students, students and the education system is in very good hands.
It certainly is Jennifer! What an inspiring article!
Thank you Johanna – what a wonderful classroom you must have, I am sure you feel and see the true success of your teaching philosophy on a daily basis. Kids feel the truth and call out things that are not right. It is wonderful to know there are teachers out there willing to listen to the wisdom they share.
Your blog shows me how to be with everyone in this big classroom called life.
Absolutely Johanna and Alison, finding teachers of integrity is rare. In my school years only one teacher stood out and that was the only year I excelled in my school work. My interaction with this teacher was the only time I had a true connection with a teacher.
Johanna I love the way you have taken education back to what it should be about children first and then about the subject. Education now is all about getting the best grades and going to University yet is this what most really want, so many fall by the wayside in huge dept without a real understanding of what life is about. I would have loved to have had you as a teacher, I struggled to learn anything at school, I was taught parrot fashion reading from a text book without any interaction or sense of fun and this put me off learning until 12 years ago when I heard presentations from Universal Medicine and the Ageless Wisdom, this has changed my whole understanding of what learning and education is about.
Thank you Alison for your beautiful sharing and the appreciation expressed in it. You would have been amazing to have in my class, I am sure.
The teachings and presentations of Serge Benhayon have been the blessing that has supported me to live and teach from my heart. The Teachers are Gold project with Michael Benhayon has allowed me to appreciate and reconnect with the Gold I am and bring to teaching. Both have been a Godsend.
Our children during their education years spend a great deal of that time in the hands of teachers. The job and responsibility of teachers to educate our children is often under-rated and under-paid. Johanna, you are one of those amazing individuals that truly loves her job and is making a difference.
You bring up a great point about wages samtson. For me it is more how people use their money in their lives. What has been used for true purpose and what has been used for distractions and indulgences. In comparison to other professions, teaching is definitely under paid. It is crazy how someone in the business field could be working 7-9 hours a day, managing a group of individuals and coaching them (teaching older people, yet they get paid 150, 000- 200, 000 per year and a teacher in education manages up to 35 kids, programs, reports, is an educator and a parent to the kids, etc and the starting wage is 55, 000 then can be worked up depending on further study or high positions gained
To take what you share here and offer this way of being to all teachers would be a great blessing to all children and teachers alike. Your article is amazing and a true inspiration of how classrooms can be. Thank you Johanna for sharing the honesty of what you live and take into your work on a daily basis.
Thank you Beverley . . . for your genuine appreciation.
Thank you Benkt. We are all there as a role model and the beauty is that this reflection and inspiration can also support our friends, family and colleagues. I know that, as I take responsibility for the way I am and also love taking care when getting ready for work that this has inspired other colleagues to enjoy dressing up for themselves.
The responsibility we take for ourselves and the true riplle effect of this.
It is very important as a child to have an role model that shows that you are already everything and be supported in being the true you with your unique expression. It is amazing Johanna, that you give the children you teach this opportunity to be all who they are for the rest of their lives through this amazing foundation and inspiration you give them.
Hello Johanna, the school system looks like it’s overwhelmed. I see teachers with a lot of pressure on them to ‘deliver’ education to the students and I see the students confused with trying to learn and cope with what they are feeling. It’s almost a conflicting view really. I can see what you are saying Johanna and love what you are presenting. The love and care we can offer children goes beyond just education and teachers are a huge part of this as you say. Keep bringing what you are bringing to this system and I look forward to seeing the change.
Thank you Raymond, me too!
Very inspiring Raymond and Johanna – I too look forward to seeing the changes that great light brings.
The pressure on teachers these days to deliver set outcomes academically, with little or no regard for the children they are teaching is enormous. No wonder so many become disillusioned and want to leave.
How wonderful it would be to have the philosophy you describe and your way with yourself and with children as part of the teaching degree.
I loved reading this article and feeling how lovely it would be to be in your class room.
Thank you Jeanette! Yes many great teachers with a genuine passion for children leave each year. This is a sad fact. Perhaps if another way was adopted, a way of true self care and teachers appreciating what they knowingly bring each day- our education system would only benefit as would the children within it.
I completely agree with you Jeanette that the philosophy of teaching, the honouring way Jeanette lives and relates to the children and the understanding behind that would be great as part of any teaching degree. And after reading this article and the comments, and considering the difference in the outcomes of this philosophy being applied or not, I would go as far as stating that it ought to be an absolute requirement as an assessment of a teacher.
The pressure is enormous for the teahers thats for sure. My daughter is in prep and talking with her teachers I am amazed at what the expectations are. This is so felt by the children and they soon are into a fully pressured environment that is so task orientated. There is no time for show and tell in our little ones prep class due to the full workload. So as far as expression, they are not encouraged from this young age onwards.
Johanna, this is the teaching ‘manifesto’ for the future, absolute gold being lived by you and others who have reconnected to the enormity of teaching our young. How amazing will it be when it is once more the norm, because it was in ancient times when we did not dismiss the truth of who we really are, that children are truly seen and celebrated in how they are taught — taught first and foremost to have an unwavering trust in themselves first and foremost as you describe here. To go out into the world with the qualifications needed for their chosen path but in no way at the expense of who they are. The world will be so joyful when the education system adopts this philosophy far and wide.
This way was once the norm as you say which I also know and agree with . . . And one day it will be the norm once again for ALL as it is already the norm for many.
Absolutely Katarina, this is much needed as we have gone so far from what true education is really all about.
I love what you have said here Katerina, and to feel that one day this will be the way it is in the education system is beautiful. Schools which confirm the glory we all hold within and that work for the union of humanity instead of promoting individualism and competition which then leads to separation.
Thank you, Johanna, for this deeply inspiring offering. As a child I really struggled with the huge hypocrisy that was being played out right in front of my eyes, and I am sure most of us can come up with a list of what doesn’t work in the education. What you have presented here as your teaching philosophy is something we all could (whether we are teacher or not) consider as a way of being in our own community, to take responsibility of our own part in the way our next generation is getting brought up.
Thank you for your beautiful sharing Fumiyo.
Society would be very different if we started out life being educated in this way. We would learn to be responsible for ourselves and with everyone else. We would know that learning is fun and about real life not about learning and regurgitating facts. We would not need to chase marks, praise or recognition but we would foster our talents in order to best support society as a whole.
Imagine that – an education system and a society that was not based on regurgitating facts or having to consistently prove yourself! To be educated in a way that honours the whole of YOU would result in a society that is for the whole.
I am imagining an education system and society where we didn’t have to constantly prove ourselves, Johanna, how different everything would be! Perhaps accepting ourselves for who we are and allowing others to be themselves we would reduce our current plague of exhaustion?
Yes Fiona, learning should always be fun no matter what stage or age you are, and learning about real life which as you say is about being responsible for ourselves first and foremost, and then with every one else. How different our world would be indeed.
True Jacqueline- fun and purposeful!
Johanna re-reading your blog and those of other teachers gives hope for the future of education. Your teaching philosophy and its ripple effects must be embraced with open arms for all the children out there.
Thanks Patricia. Teachers do all have this passion naturally there it’s just somewhere along the lines we have lost our true appreciation for what we actually bring to teaching (not what we do) and what teaching is truly about. More and more teachers are beginning reconnect to their GOLD and will continue to do so with the support of those who in their daily lives choose to reflect what they naturally bring and through the amazing teachersaregold website.
An absolutely amazing approach to teaching and being with children, and so far from the way most of us were educated. As a teacher or anyone that comes in contact with children we have a huge responsibility and opportunity to allow children to be themselves and support them in that, and not impose all our ideals and beliefs on them. Thank you Johanna for sharing your wonderful ‘my teaching philosophy”.
We are all Teachers- whether this is our actual chosen profession or not. We all reflect the quality we choose to live and have the responsibility to bring a true quality to all those around us, especially to children.
Having had two very good teachers tell me they want to leave teaching this week, I would love to see a world where teachers are allowed to live and work in the way you describe instead of the enormous pressure to get kids to perform academically. This pressure on our very young children becomes so disturbing to the teachers they can’t continue to do it and leave the profession. Such a loss to all.
I agree Vanessa- it is a loss and the fact is if we looked at it all from an outside perspective, the pressure that is there is not necessary but in fact a game we are all pawns in.
What I love about schools is that they are places of and for the community. We all gather there at some point and learn to live with each other. Teachers play a pivotal role in the environment that we all experience there as role models and care givers. But it is not only the teachers who have the responsibility for how the school is able to nurture and flourish young people. The students, parents, and all outside contractors have an equal responsibility for what we bring to the school as well because we contribute just as much to the way the school feels and develops.
Absolutely Shami. I totally agree- schools are a central and pivotal point and all those involved each have a responsibility with what they reflect and how the whole then works.
This is an inspiring article for everyone involved in education or children in any way. If we remembered how school was for ourselves as a child, which most of the time was stressful and we felt unmet, and let ourselves feel and accept where children are at in any momentt we would not want to teach and be with our children any other way. Johanna this blog definitely deserves to go further a field – thank you.
Thank you Julie – what a beautiful sharing.
“To me, teaching is about connecting to the kids first.” This is so needed Johanna, as this is what is missing in our schools . Teachers that have made teaching about connecting to the kids first have been the ones that are remembered and loved. They are the ones that make learning a joy. Equally is the importance of the point you make of the responsibility of self care. Teachers work so hard that it cannot be stressed enough the need for them to truly nurture and take care of themselves in the most tender way they can. There are so many devoted teachers out there who burn out because they put the kids first not understanding the connection must be first and foremost be with themselves in adherence to what their bodies are telling them. Thank you for sharing your philosophy. It is a great way forward and an inspiration to all teachers and people that work with children.
Totally agree, Julie!
Can I be in your class !!!!
Every word you have shared here is absolute gold Johanna, and I can feel that this is what you live now – it is not a ‘far-off ideal’ but indeed a reality in your classroom. Reading your blog, I can’t help but realise that every single one of us is a teacher – to children, and everyone around us – by virtue of how we are, and how we live in every aspect of our lives.
We have a very deep responsibility in this regard, as to what influence we may have on others.
This is only heightened all the more when we consider children. Teaching music to children for some 28 years now, I can appreciate all that you’ve shared so much, for EVERY child that walks in my door is truly AMAZING, and every child deserves to be seen for this and know that they needn’t every diminish their unique and inherent qualities – but rather, they can bring them out in full.
I love what you express here Victoria – we are all of us teachers. I just relish the opportunity to communicate to the awesomeness of a child and like you say ” every child needs to be seen for this”. Education grows the curriculum and not the child – a true educator therefore grows the child and connects a child to know it is their unique qualities which is their true success. Great article Johanna with so much to ponder on.
Well said Victoria.
As you write I feel the joy of learning about things. I can imagine being in a class where I can just be myself without pressure. How different school and learning would be, ‘learning becomes effortless.’ How beautiful. Something I can introduce into my own life as I am learning a lot of new things. Time to let go of being perfect and the fear of making mistakes!
I love your philosophy so much Johanna that I want to go back to school just so I can be taught by you!!
Johanna, that is an extremely important and powerful blog. This is the teaching of the future!
Wow, I wish I had been shown a teacher like that when I grew up. When I read your blog, I can related to certain teachers from my past who displayed some of the above, but never the whole package that you have presented, and even then to me they were amazing and far ahead of the other teacher I remember. I can only imagine what it would have been like to have been a student in the classroom under someone who not just performed, but actually lived in full what you are talking about. As a kid I would have followed them to the end of the earth.
I like what you say Adam, and make me think back to my childhood as well. I can remember one teacher that did met me and supported me to be and express in my natural being. I carry this still with me as a precious moment in my life. From this experience I can imagine that being educated in the way as Johanna is describing must be amazing as it support us in becoming and developing who we truly are in our uniqueness instead of becoming someone that fits in the requirements of society.
Agree Johanna Teachers have such tremendous responsibility, and equally teachers also come from outside the remit of the classroom or family; they come from us as an adult being a passenger on a bus sitting next to a small child, a passer-by, a person in the clothes shop or grocery store, and so on, essentially because children are forever learning and observing the world and people around them formulating how life is, and shaping themselves in it by what they see and feel. So then everyone of us has a level of influence and opportunity to be a teacher to a child to confirm either who they are not, or the greatness that they are, by how ‘the teacher’ holds themselves with the same greatness the child gets to see, feel, enjoy, and be confirmed in and by.
Absolutely Zofia. Every single one of us in the world is a point of reflection for children- we are all teachers.
Absolutely Samantha – we don’t need to in a classroom to share our wisdom nor does our true wisdom come from the classroom but by just being us in each environment we can bring all that we are and share that wisdom ,that comes from being in our fullness. So in fact this is a beautiful responsibility that we each all have and hold for all of humanity.
So true Johanna we indeed do not need to be in a classroom to reflect to others that we are naturally in essence all of who we are. But what you share here in your teaching philosophy is true education where children are truly met and their is no need to develop an intelligence based on being recognised for what we can do rather than who we are.
Johanna, you are the kind of teacher that I would want, someone who sees me and appreciates me and who does not talk down to me.
I love re reading this philosophy towards teaching. This should be the very blueprint for all schools and any education centres. You have really hit the nail on the head here when you say as teachers we have Amazing Opportunities, it is so true and we don’t have to be in a classroom based situation to be able to share our wisdom. Children are full of wisdom and with some gentle encouragement to express this wise side all of us benefit.
Wow Johanna, awesome, awesome blog. The world needs more teachers like you in the classroom. Your blog is very inspiring and revealing. I can feel that my children are not given this kinds of opportunity to learn and be inspired at school or at home. I am still learning myself and I have made many mistakes along the way but I can already feel the change in myself and my family by me making more loving choices inspired by blogs like yours, the teachings by Serge Benhayon and his family.
Serge Benhayon for me has been the greatest reflection of a true teacher and has inspired all that I am to come out and shine along with Teachers are Gold project brought forth by Michael Benhayon. It just goes to show that we all already have this way within us and it doesn’t take or have anything to do with completing the teacher graduate course.
Oh Yes – what your blog sings to the world is that there are people who deeply care out there and that they are in the right places for the right reasons – your teaching philosophy is a gift to your students and all of humanity – thank you.
Dear Johanna, that is actually very beautiful and simple what truly matters in a classroom. Sadly most of the teachers have not such a caring and loving approach and understanding as the current school system does not support it. So to make a start teachers need to be made aware of this and this can happen by us as parents or by role models like you. Then they can slowly start to change their attitude to themselves and allow this to happen in the classroom with their pupils too. Every little step can change the bigger picture.
Love your philosophy Johanna and what you are bringing to the children you teach. I can only remember 2 teachers from my entire education that had a positive impact on me. Being all that you are with these children will be remembered by them and that is truly awesome if they’re not getting that reflection anywhere else. This is how the world changes.
It’s amazing how each one of us actually has an opportunity to reflect truth to others, whether it be in our work places, with our families or as we walk down the street. I know for me personally that these moments of someone reflecting truth to me have only ever been sparingly and small in comparison to the many moments that one experiences in their life. But these moments have stayed with me for my life; it may have been in a gentle touch, deeply engaging eye contact where I felt completely met or the quality in which someone spoke with or walked with – all inspiring and long lasting moments. The power of reflection.
This is so true Johanna, and, not only for teachers. These principles apply to us all, for we are constantly ‘teaching’ and inspiring those around us through the way we are with ourselves, and in the way we relate with others. We are ‘teachers’ for our families, friends, work colleagues, and even strangers we pass in the street.
There is a level of responsibility here for us all to embrace as ‘teachers’ in this world.
Absolutely Kylie we are all teachers and reflectors with everyone we come into contact with so we need to embrace the responsibility we have in everything we do and say which then makes ‘teaching’ an extension of how we live our lives.
Absolutely Kylie – every single one of us are teachers in this world.
Very true Kylie, we are all teachers. What are we reflecting to others and what are other people reflecting back for us to learn? I guess we are constantly reflecting and communicating to each other. We are all deeply connected and this brings a level of responsibility if we choose to see it, because life is never only about one self but about everyone. We are never alone, everyone is linked.
Absolutely Chan- you are correct! Life is Everyone.
Absolutely Kylie- we all have this power and responsibility to reflect and be there as something of truth for others.
Great article Johanna. I particularly picked up on your comment ‘Now let’s give you the support and training in all subjects while you ascertain what you feel drawn to pursue’ and couldn’t help but wonder if this way of teaching was universal how easy a career or job choice would be for our children.
Great thing to wonder- I would imagine that our unemployment rates would also be different if students were truly met and were educated towards the career they chose to do from the beginning.
Thank you Johanna for sharing your philosophy. What this shows to me is the huge responsibility that not just teachers but all of us have in offering children truth, truth in how we live, care for ourselves and express ourselves. Children see everything and make decisions for themselves based on what they see and feel. If a teacher is grumpy, short tempered and has no real time for the children, then children are going to switch off and not participate and become disillusioned with the system. Learning to be ourselves and being honest and truly caring is so important, children can feel when we are not being anyone of these.
Wow Johanna! Where were you when I was at pre-school? Where were you when my son was a pre-school? If all educators had your philosophy on education what an amazing world we would live in!
Thank you Johanna Smith for your sharing on being a true teacher. It all comes down to giving the children a true reflection they can feel, look at and can relate to, a reflection that invites them to be all of them in every aspect of their lives. And we, as we are all teachers to them in every way, shape and form, we have the responsibility to be all of us when living our lives and to be a role model or reflection to all children we meet. I feel this to be a true purpose to my life, to be a teacher for the world.
“As teachers we have the potential to not only teach but to fully support children in learning how to be in their fullness and amazingness within society and Our World.”
This line is HUGE Johanna. If teachers truly lived and understood what this line actually means in the classroom and how important it truly is, the way we teach would be very different.
Absolutely Joshua! It would be completely different.
This is defiantly the future of teaching.
Allowing children to express everything they know and feel, without the classroom dogma and education system completely transforming them to ignore their natural feelings that are so innately beautiful.
I agree Luke. It is the future of teaching. I was watching my daughter and 2 of her school friends playing in the yard freely during the school holidays yesterday and thought just how much the educational system actually boxes and crushes children’s natural essence to be what the system needs it to be. Children are innately beautiful and one day education will fully honour this.
I think I’ve said it before, but gosh I wish you were my teacher when I was at school! I’m loving knowing that you’re out there doing your thing and inspiring others around you to implement your philosophy.
Thank you Elodie.
Children are so exquisitely sensitive and aware and honest it feels like a crime to treat them in the way most education systems do. If they were met with teachers of your philosophy, Johanna, then how beautiful would be their flowering into mature adults still connected to the truth inside and able to withstand the onslaughts of the world.
This is true Joan. We are all sensitive and to be cherished, and for us to not treat ourselves in that way and to also not take responsibility to treat others (children included) in that way is not honouring who we truly are. The crime is people choosing to act in anything less than a loving caring way and also the systems (that were created and continue to be fed by people wanting recognition and control over true care) then confirm that this way is an ok way of being. I guess people’s choice of not fully expressing all and who they are have allowed this to take place. The amazing thing is that the choice is always there and each one of us play a very important and needed part in this.
Johanna , you are truly in your livingness when you are with the children and they must feel the joy of that. Gorgeous!
Thank you Johanna for sharing your philosophy of teaching and for highlighting teacher self care along with children and learning. I know from my own experience the importance of ensuring each child feels valued and appreciated. It’s only in the past few years I’ve fully appreciated the value of self care and the support it gives us in whatever role we find ourselves in.
Absolutely Kehinde – self care supports us in any role. Taking the responsibility to be with ourselves and in connection with our self and our body allows us to know exactly what is needed and not needed at any given moment, as well as how to offer that same level of respect, care, consideration etc to others
Your teaching philosophy is amazing Johanna. This philosophy is what needs to be offered to ALL students as they begin their studies to become teachers. And the beautiful thing is that we are all teachers at some stage, whenever we are around children, and so this philosophy extends its truth and wisdom to us all.
I love your Philosophy Johanna. This is the true responsibility of a teacher…and all of us!!! Thank you.
A gorgeous philosophy that can be applied by anyone in any profession, you have inspired me to write one for myself…
Absolutely Laura, to any person in any professions, in any family . . . anywhere in the world.
So it is about allowing the kids to be who they already are, not wanting them to become something. Could there also be a way without giving grades? This part in school felt so horrific and separating.
Priceless, Johanna! I know a few teachers, and of course I was once a student in school. The way you are with the children, your teaching philosophy, must be pretty rare at present, but it is certainly needed out there. Children are so in touch with truth, they can feel everything, and they react to lies (which includes untrue ways of living). Teachers can grumble about the behaviour of their students, but what might their classes be like if all teachers took themselves to school beautifully nurtured, cared-for and aware, and lived that role model for children?
Absolutely Dianne, school would be different.
If more teachers took themselves to school beautifully natured it obviously would not sort out all the behaviour problems but I feel it definitely would allow children to feel more connected to and honoured for who they are, which means that they may not feel to seek the uneccessary attention in an inappropriate way. Also if teachers did come to school in this way, I also feel that even if a child was acting unlike themselves and misbehaving that it could be dealt with without reaction from the teacher, the teacher would have more understanding and patience knowing that something must be going on for this student for them to be like this and for the behaviour to be dealt with clearly while not crushing the child in the process.
I agree Johanna. When I have applied self-care and self-nurture I have much more ability to stay calm and unruffled when children present behaviour problems in class. I can apply far greater understanding to the child and situation and offer true support and take appropriate action. When I haven’t taken the time for me at home and in other parts of my life I can go into reaction quickly which doesn’t support my pupils in any way…. as we all know there is a big difference between a shouty, angry teacher, to one who is clear and firm. The children of course will respond differently between the two expressions. They feel everything all of the time.
Absolutely Rachel
I have never been a teacher and it is still a mystery to me why with some teachers, everybody is quiet and following the lesson while with other teachers that isn’t the case at all. Then again, I haven’t been in a classroom since my early teens. It would be interesting to know, though.
My profession is not a teacher, yet we are all teachers in a way. I feel your philosophy can be applied to all of us, no matter what work you do. This is a level of responsibility that is needed within every job, with everything we do and with every interaction we have with others.
It would be so power-full if children went to your class, and could be themselves in full, then they would go forward in the world knowing how amazing they are. THAT is truly amazing!
A beautiful philosophy Johanna. The sentences that I particularly noted were “As teachers we have the potential to not only teach but to fully support children in learning how to be in their fullness and amazingness within society and Our World. This means – how they actually are with others!!! If kids grow up to be adults who are living in their fullness, the rest of humanity benefits. So why is this not our main priority?” Being with young children, while they are at school, learning about life is an honour and a responsibility – children are learning ALL the time and learning about love, self-love and love for others, is the most important lesson.
I’ve come to read your blog again Johanna, and am reminded of your words, ‘…how powerful and unified would our future generations be if all children were supported to: Develop an unwavering trust in themselves, Know how to honour themselves and therefore others, Truly self-care so that they always looked after their bodies, Develop and practice a way of speaking that is clear, without any force and in a way that does not leave anyone feeling lesser?…’
We are raising our daughter with these foundations, but her classroom has yet to catch on to how important they are. I do look forward to the day when the education systems of the world will also be able to support all children in the same way as parents are able to. These two areas – school and home – need no longer be separate, but rather complimentary. How cool will that be!
How beautiful for your daughter to be raised with your level of responsibility and awareness Suzanne . . . And how beautiful that she, in her fullness gets to bless a class full of kids and her teachers everyday . . . And how amazing that that school and that classroom is blessed with you dropping her off, interacting with the teachers and perhaps even helping out for parent help. . . And how lovely for the other parents who also drop off and parent help get to engage in a conversation with you where they feel truly met, just as you meet your daughter.
The ripple effect, the reflection and the imprint of true care are very powerful.
Such a great observation about home and school philosophies coming together – something for us all to work towards.
When I recall school, the teachers who stand out are the ones who I felt really safe with. They had a way of making each child feel that they were someone who was special, unique, and precious, and they had a knack for doing that without singling out “favourites”.
I feel that every teacher wants to be that sort of teacher, the one that adults recall with a feeling of warmth and appreciation.
Your teaching philosophy, “Teaching – from our Quality of Being First”, offers that possibility to every teacher – even in a system that creates seemingly insurmountable complexities and apparently stocks the odds against teachers loving what they do.
What a beautiful possibility to offer to teachers and to every child.
Great Blog Johanna, can really see how you relate and connect to the children. A+ 😉
It is indeed an amazing opportunity that teachers have – to offer a role model and way of being that will set our kids up to be full, amazing adults. It isn’t in the lessons that are provided but the way teachers are with the kids and themselves that really counts. We as parents cannot forfeit our responsibilities to provide this to our kids a best we can but it is great to know there are teachers who offer this on a daily basis.
How beautiful it was to read this. I felt a lovely unfolding or opening inside myself as I read. That a teacher is able to write in this way is an incredible tribute to both her and to the point of inspiration that inspired. Universal Medicine inspires all teachers to work and experience what is on offer, and across all careers and locations this inspiration is felt.
“I have come to the understanding that children know a lot more than we as adults give them credit for. ” I couldn’t agree more, the wisdom and truth the express at times is beyond this world.
Me too Gyl- I totally agree!
I love what you have shared Johanna and could not help but feel that your teaching philosophy is a philosophy I would love to adopt in all areas of my life. The students in your classroom are truly blessed.
I totally agree Leonne; Johanna’s philosophy is definitely one for all of life and as you say, her students are “truly blessed”.
Johanna – I just had a ‘whoa’ moment reading this. If I could go back and choose who my teacher in school would be, I would choose you. The cool thing is, in reading this you became my teacher, and it feels important to me to read and reread your blog. You so simply and clearly wrote down what is a universal outline for the philosophy and approach to truly loving and caring teaching. I’d love to see your blog be required reading for all teachers and students alike. Thank you.
Thank you Deborah- I love the enthusiasm in your sharing. The reality is though that this philosophy can be taken into any family, any work place, any social setting, absolutely anywhere for all others to know that they are awesome before they do anything as well as knowing the importance of self care and self responsibility in life.
Johanna, I would love to be a student in a class with teachers living your way of philosophy..self care, reflect , connect, hear, understand -the basics & then teach. It’ll be amazing to be learning in such supported environment. I still remember teachers from my school years who saw me for who I was in my uniqueness; who truly cared for me. I still hold them dear in my heart. I was just talking to a friend today regarding teaching; how it can be challenging with kids not ready/willing to learn at times: How awesome it would be if the kids were all met and asked how they were first thing in the morning, the class teaching would start only after each child was ok and ready to start the day. How things would just flow then for teacher and students. Its not the norm yet but wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Johanna, you should be Prime Minister!
I have just reread your blog Johanna and am again struck by the responsibility teachers have, responsibility to themselves, the people they work with and the children in their care.
Educational centres are thriving centres with enormous opportunities to heal (truly educate as you have described) or to harm (crush, control and manipulate) our gorgeous and precious young people
Thank you again for your words of wisdom
A great philosophy
You are a true blessing to the education system Jo. I was a teacher for three and a half years and couldn’t do it anymore. I became a teacher to get out doing the factory work I was doing and discovered that the teachers at school referred to school as just another factory. “See you back at the factory on Monday” were the works spoken on Friday afternoon. I have told many people that the government should remove the work education from education system because that is what it currently is. Just a system with most teachers checked out with themselves, their students, and the subject content itself.
The students know they aren’t fooled in anyway. A lot are just doing the time like the teachers. What a true blessing you are to your school Jo. Not only for your students but for the other staff.
So true Daniel, students are extremely astute, they can feel the intent of a teacher, smelling it like a bloodhound, if they are not reflecting truth and integrity. What Jo is presenting is full of truth and integrity and should be packaged for all the education system to read and learn from.
I agree Raegan, The truth of this blog should be packaged for all the education system to read and learn from! Perhaps it should be required reading at teacher training college? I know I would have greatly benefited from my training if I had had this kind of insight… something we all intrinsically know as teachers, but perhaps not able to articulate because the system doesn’t allow so much space for it. We have made education and life all about the “doing” rather than the quality of “being” and taking that quality of being to everything we do.
What you teach the children in your class is what you live Johanna. You are a beautiful reflection for everyone who is involved in the education system. “When we make it about relationships and people first… the teaching part becomes simple”. Making it about people is true teaching and aren’t we all teachers?
Johanna, this is a wonderful sharing of how you approach teaching young children. You are the teacher that they will remember for their whole lives. You have given so much attention to how you will engage with your students and how you will prepare yourself also every day to ensure that you are looking after yourself as well as your students.
You must be such an inspiration to the other teachers at your school.
Johanna, this blog is a joy to read and packed full of wisdom. This line reminded me how important it is to be aware of how I am communicating with children. ‘ In my teaching practice I know that children thrive when they: Are engaged with eye contact and a caring voice.’
A simple, heartfelt philosophy for working and living generally. What a great opportunity for me to stop and make sure my next moment is truly in the quality of energy that value-adds to humanity. Thanks Johanna!
Oh Johanna, so beautiful. If only it was like this in more schools. My daughter just started school and one of her teachers constantly yells at the children. It is sad to see this happen at any stage yet alone the first year of schooling. I spent some time in the classroom observing and helping out only to find that the majority of the class were checked out. Not surprising when the teacher is just yelling at them. You are doing a super job Johanna. The children, their parents and families will all get the ripple affect of your teaching philosophy. Super beautiful
What a heart-filled philosophy Johanna.This should be common practice for teacher trainers in our education system. What you have shared here is true education and I would have loved you to have been my teacher when I was a child.
Wow Johanna, this is truly power-full. The Whoa moment for me in reading this is the possibility presented in the scenario that, like a teacher spending equal time in a day with the child as their parent, I spend a similar proportion of time with work colleagues and therefore have an equal responsibility of bringing all of me to the work place – to be that reflection for others.
That is so true Greg- I hadn’t thought of it like that either, as in extending it to that is the same amount of time that people are at work with another group of people. It really brings home that we should really be treating all people like family to foster truer caring relationships. Thanks for the insight!
Your commitment and love for your role in supporting childern to grow and flourish is amazing and inspiring all at once. And I agree, we have all been privileged to have an amazing teacher reflect back to us what true teaching is all about. Thank-you Johanna.
What an awesome philosophy and how beautiful if all teachers were to come back to being who they are, with the joy and wisdom that is in their hearts and from there meet all children in who they are. It would totally revolutionize the educational system, as now it is the main source of children changing who they really are and shutting down their natural sensitivity.
Johanna, you obviously love what you do, how you do it and who you are. A beautiful blog and wouldn’t it be awesome if all teachers were as amazing as you. Wouldn’t that be a beautiful world!
Hi Johanna. Perth is blessed to have you teaching their children. Reading your sharing, your philosophy of teaching, and your experiences with young children just makes me feel all soft and tender like a fragile young boy – so much potential and yet easily crushed. Your philosophy and heart-felt connections with each child must be so supportive and uplifting for them (and us). Thanks for expressing and sharing your amazingness..
Thank you Paul. I do love my job and being with children. I feel I have a deep level of care for them.
Your sharing is gorgeous. I appreciate the level to which you have expressed. It’s always lovely to see a man not holding back with what he feels.
Can I enrol at your school Johanna , even though I may look a little odd in a school uniform at 54? Despite probably being eligable to enrol I am very inspired by your teaching philosophy as I feel I can create one for the work I do in feeling what’s important in what I offer the people I work with.
Someone was telling me today about a situation where parents or carers of ‘difficult’ children just let them do what they want with no boundaries, care or commitment to them. When she was telling me this i could see that they were doing this because they wanted an easy life, they wanted to be left alone to stay in their comfort and also that they had no idea how to be or engage with the young person in a way that would support them and be a good role model for them. It made me realise that the parent/carer needs to be given the skills to meet and give time to the young person. I can see a real need for this everywhere. It is inspiring the work that you do and that when you wrote your documentation you didn’t hold back on what was true to you.
Johanna your teaching philosophy was a pure joy to read. When we make it about relationships and people first… the teaching part becomes simple, this is true for life itself. Brilliant.
I agree Johanna – children notice whatever a teacher does, especially the non-verbal messages.
Not taking care of your body or your clothes gives a powerful message of not caring in general to the children as just one example.
They are definitely little people but big observers. They see everything and know exactly what all movements, speech, engagements, interactions etc feel like. Much like a young child can get hurt from their parent not looking at them in a caring way, this is also true in the classroom. Children are also gauging just how much presence we as teachers are choosing to have with them. So in relation to this one point only- if one considers that a teacher could potentially choose to stop and wait and listen fully to a child when they speak to them or they could ‘surface listen’, that is continue in their doing for the day, respond to the child as a quick fix but really have other things on there mind about the tasks and outcomes of the day, then it is easy to imagine how these two scenarios over the course of a year could play out and feel to a child- both one resulting in a completely different experience and perception of school and learning and even to what their self worth is.
I wish I had you as a teacher when I was at school Johanna!
I love your teaching philosophy – it makes such sense.
I have always appreciated what children have reflected in my life…I love their wisdom, their honesty and their playfulness. But then what happens as we grow into adulthood? We as adults are certainly responsible for the way that our children are educated…and a heart centred, people focused approach that supports them to just be themselves sounds and feels amazing.
I love children’s wisdom, lightness, reflection and playfulness too. They are a great reminder that I am the same and to not let other stuff get in the way.
Amazing Johanna. As you pointed out teachers spend roughly the same amount of time with the children as their parents do, because of this it is so important we have the fundamentals right. Teachers have so much influence, I remember my grade one teacher still- they have a lasting impact.
I love the way you have presented your teaching philosophy. It’s definitely something everyone can go off and benefit from. I wonder how the people received it when you sent it in ?
Thanks Emily. An assessor came out and read my documents. This was awesome because she felt the classroom space, saw my teaching in action and gave beautiful feedback.
Johanna I am sure your living philosophy is perceived by the teachers working around you so more children can have an awesome experience. Starting their life’s journey with the freedom to be themselves is the greatest gift a teacher could offer.
Johanna this is such a cool blog. Such an inspiration and so eye opening. Things I knew about teachers but had not really felt – like the fact you spend as much (or more) time each day with the children as their families. An awesome opportunity as you say! Love it.
Johanna, You definitely bring a whole new level of responsibility to the teaching profession. It is wonderful that you feel your own fullness and awesomeness that then enables each child to connect to their own fullness and awesomeness.
Thank you Karen. The beauty of feeling who I am and what I bring then lets me to see the children in the same divineness. Each day I love to work and prepare for them because I know it supports them. Each day I wake looking forward to seeing them and to see what the day presents.
Thanks Johanna for your beautiful insightful blog ,for children to have the confidence to be themselves and take that to all they do and in to their growing years . Would be a great turnaround to what is happening to children and teenagers now.
I have heard it said a few times, that everyone has that one teacher that was in their school life that really inspired them, sadly I can’t say this about myself. The teacher in my life that really inspired me came much later in life. I can see by reading your blog Johanna that you will be that one teacher to many. Teachers really can be gold.
Thank you Kevin. I too have been inspired by many true teachers in my adult life. Constantly I am learning and taking these inspirations to my teaching day. I have learnt much from the way Serge, Simone, Natalie, Michael and Curtis Benhayon present to groups of people. These are a few of the many true teachers I have encountered in my adult years- but in-truth if we are all open we can all learn from each other as we really are ALL teachers within the classroom of life.
The Benhayon family have certainly inspired me in so many ways and I so agree Johanna that we are all teachers and inspiring each other in some way.
I will never forget at University this one teacher that left quite a mark for me despite it being a very small interaction. But what I remember and felt deeply at the time was that he truly saw me…and to know this inspired a spark within me and this is why I have never forgotten that interaction. These moments of inspiration where we truly meet each other are glorious and potentially life changing.
Johanna, what a wonderful way of teaching you bring to the children you work with, they are blessed having you as a teacher. The key in your blog for me is: “When we make it about relationships and people first… the teaching part becomes simple”. And that feels so true for me. It is a fact that we are always in a relation with each other and that life is about people, so when we got this right, anything that we bring will be so simple. And if you bring this way of living to your school, it will be there for everybody to reflect to it. I love it.
Teachers are in an exquisite position to affect change for many. Just offering up their quality of self care and a consistent commitment to care for their students allows so much of the battle and conflict within classrooms to fall away. When the children know they are met and loved they can let go of their defences and step into a relationship with themselves that is unguarded and open. Not all children are ready to do this and as they get older their patterns are more deeply entrenched, but the opportunity is always on offer if their teacher, as a consistent presence in their lives, holds care of themselves firmly, as a reflection of how things can be.
Beautifully expressed Matilda- thank you for your words of wisdom.
Oh I so love what you have expressed here Matilda…and I can feel the strength of your lived experience in what you have shared.
‘When the children know they are met and loved they can let go of their defences and step into a relationship with themselves that is unguarded and open.’
There is a lot of media and talk about Super Schools of late in my local area, and much debate around their merits or otherwise. With the focus being so politically oriented it is easy to lose sight of the central purpose that schools are intended to fulfill in the lives of young people. Your blog Johanna strips back all of the ‘window dressing’ about schools and education and brings the focus firmly back to the quality of care of the young person as the primary importance. And how essential then is it that teachers are encouraged and supported to care for themselves first, as the central tenet to this foundation. And I love your proposition:
‘….imagine… for teachers to be told on their first day in a school or on the first professional development day of the year- that your main job is to care for yourself and the children before, above and beyond the policies and documents. Imagine how supported the staff would all feel toward each other if care was the number one priority. Imagine how staff would actually relate toward each other and then toward the children.
Yes I can imagine. It would be like a group of adults caringly and supportively working together in a joint role of caringly parenting and caringly educating together, Each taking responsibility for their part and way of being and interacting with the whole group of children in their care.
Teachers have an enormous influence on kids. I have heard that some teachers often are afraid of the children, have self-doubts and that, just like in other peoples lives, in their life can be much trouble too.This blog is an amazing opportunity to start to change. Thank you Johanna.
Johanna, I absolutely love reading your article, I have just started supporting kids with reading in a school and feel very inspired by what you have written, particularly, ‘I like to make sure the children know that they matter and are valued – that they are being heard, and that they are seen, felt and ‘met’ for the amazing beings they naturally are, rather than being recognised solely for what they do or achieve in the classroom’, thank you.
Thank you Johanna for writing this. I wish you were my teacher throughout my school years!
This is a beautiful and profound teaching philosophy. There would be more equalness between teachers and disciples and so much joy on each side.
A beautiful philosophy that could just as easily be brought into the work place. Ultimately – it is the development of relationships with self and others that makes a difference
I agree Hannah. It’s about relationships.
Yes its the relationship that is fostered and then naturally there is the inspiration to learn and discover.
I have just reread your blog Johanna and my heart sings when I feel what Education in our schools can be like; such a powerful and empowering experience for each and every student (and teacher)
If children were schooled like this imagine what potential could come through so many more people as they start their careers – there would be a very different skill level and attitude in the workplace. Rather than educated to compare and compete, the ripple effect of education as Johanna has described would change the world at large.
This could just as easily be a piece about an amazing way to parent too.
That’s true, there would be no comparison, people would be taking responsibility for the way they are with others, working on building relationships first and also be passionate about their chosen field of work.
Wow- I am just sitting with what no comparison in the workplace, in all workplaces would be like- even going for an interview would be a completely different experience.
Beautiful article to read Johanna. I loved the point you made about bringing an understanding of the purpose behind what the children are learning so that they can relate to it a bit easier. This is something that I have struggled with in my own studies, if I don’t understand the reason why we need to learn something it makes it a lot harder to commit to studying a topic. A very inspiring article in many ways. Thank you.
“My philosophy is a lived one” This sums it up Johanna. Looking back I know that many years ago I had a teacher just like you. Of course I was not able to articulate ‘her philosophy’ but she made a lasting impression on me with her gentleness, caring and integrity. Teachers are a vital part of each child’s life. Beautiful blog Johanna.
Yes, this feeling and memory stays with us. I have feelings/memories of great moments with teachers that I was blessed with during my education. Articulating it is not important because that feeling in our bodies is truth in itself. I am fortunate enough to have met Serge Benhayon and be a student of Universal Medicine- to where I first reconnected to the truth that I am Love and I have a lot to bring. I am fortunate to know the responsibility I hold to make each moment one way or another and that a little person will be affected by that. I am fortunate to know in each and everyday exactly the reflection and impact I am making and this all stems from choice.
This sums it up Johanna, “My philosophy is a lived one” . Looking back I know that many years ago I had a teacher just like you. Of course I was not able to articulate ‘her philosophy’ but she made a lasting impression on me with her gentleness, caring and integrity. Teachers are a vital part of each child’s life. Beautiful blog Johanna.
Just re-reading our blog again Johanna, each time something else takes my attention. I loved how you expressed this truth – “…that my quality as the teacher, the space, the engagement and interaction I provide in every moment of every day, will determine what is reflected to the children, what will be felt by them, and what will be there to inspire them or not. ” I feel all schools and teachers would greatly benefit from attending workshops with you, what a true difference that could make in the classroom.
This was beautiful to read again, I really felt what a role as a teacher you have and the enormity of it. How beautiful would it have been to meet all the kids you are working with and how blessed they are to have a teacher that reflects all that you have presented. You are the kind of teacher I would have loved to have had growing up in school where it can be quite intense, and who you are seems to get left behind.
You also made me feel like I would love to be a teacher, instead of seeing that as a tough job I wouldn’t want to get into, it would be pretty awesome!
Thank you!
Thanks Ariel for your appreciative words. If you do choose to be a teacher- what an amazing foundation you have if you can see it as a profession that you would like to get into. You may enjoy the Teachers are Gold website, a site that is about the Gold that teachers actually have and bring. teachersaregold.com.au
Beautiful Johanna. Children really respond when we care for and appreciate ourselves. Its like we give permission to shine. What I am exploring is supporting them to express. It was recently presented to me that one way I could do this is simply by asking them why they do things the way they do. As teachers we often do this but it has an intention behind it to look for those teachable moments so I can skip over some answers without appreciating or exploring further. I am really excited to play with this.
‘I have been a qualified teacher for 13 years and always consider myself to be developing and learning’. There is such humility in this statement, which is contrary to the dynamic that sometimes exists whereby teachers and students see teachers as being in a superior position, the ones who know stuff, and whose role it is to teach, and students as being in the lesser position, being those who know less, and whose role it is to learn. Departing from this limiting way of being must surely be refreshing and freeing for all involved. Thank you Johanna.
Simply beautiful – brought tears to my eyes. What a gift and inspiration you are to all those around you. Thank you
What an amazing sharing Johanna. Remembering back to my school days from kindergarten to the day I left school was remembering the teachers who truly meet me. These teachers (all 3 of them) meet me with understanding and from that understanding I gave them respect for what they could bring to my education. And for the teachers who had no understanding of my presence and didn’t meet me for who I am, well I would just rebel and get sent out of the class room.
Imagine if all teachers could follow your philosophy and truly meet the children they teach and what this could bring to the world. Imagine Johanna if all teachers had to read this blog as part of their entry to finish their degree before going on to been first year teachers.
Beautitul writing Johanna, what you bring to the children you teach, your school and your colleagues is so awesome, every one will benefit from working with you. Thank you for sharing, I would like to share your blog with the school my son goes to, too.
I really enjoyed reading your blog, Johanna. So much wisdom, understanding and joy in your words. Everything you say is so beautiful, actually amazing, and yet it is so simple that it gets overlooked at the expense of a quality that would make all the difference in our education systems. Connecting with oneself opens the space for truly connecting with children, as you beautifully expressed. What you are bringing to the children you work with and the school you are in is immense and inspiring. A great reflection for everyone working beside you. Thank you.
Thank you GD- The beautiful part is, that each and every child in that school- although younger in age also offer deep wisdoms and reflections for those of us who are blessed to be with them, if we make the time to stop, listen and feel what they are sharing.
I love your teaching philosophy! This needs to be in every school throughout the world! and as you have said this creates possibilities for real change. Thank you Johanna.
Thanks Johanna,
Beautiful article, I’m loving connecting with children now and seeing how they and I respond.
I am now more aware of when I loose the connection with my children due to getting caught up in the busyness etc.
I recognise that too much time has passed being disconnected and I am enjoying
having the opportunity to change this with the kids and they will hopefully carry this through with theirs.
Let’s break some moulds.
That’s beautiful Sherryl and so inspiring for other parents. It’s amazing how many gold moments we miss of being connected to ourselves and being connecting with kids when we allow the pressures, fears, ideals and stress etc of life to take the forefront. It’s lovely that you are breaking the moulds.
What a wonderful blog Johanna.
‘As teachers we have the potential to not only teach but to fully support children in learning how to be in their fullness and amazingness within society and Our World.’ This should form part of teaching philosophy of every school.
Absolutely Peter. It’s all about connection. We cannot afford to ever undervalue the power connection has on the quality of a childs’ education. If we make it about what they learn before making it about truly being with them and supporting them, the child misses out on being met and then we miss out on seeing someone amazing shining in our world.
I wish I had a teacher like that. I had good teachers but their focus was on knowledge and those who wanted to teach something broader didn’t succeed.
Children are often told that they are not fully formed, that they are required to know stuff, that they are ill informed. Allow a child to express, meet them as an equal and all sorts of amazing revelations and truths about life come from their mouths. I have this experience every day with my children and the children I meet. I feel our responsibility as adults or parents is to remember that we ourselves are amazing also, despite being through many experiences in our life that might have suggested otherwise. It is very powerful, to consider that we come to this life with all we require and nurturing that self expression and self worth is the key to living in full. Thank you for sharing. “Just be You. You are already Awesome.”
Thank you Samantha
I love what you have said here and the words that you have used . . . ‘It is very powerful, to consider that we come to this life with all we require and nurturing that self expression and self worth is the key to living in full.’
It makes me realise just how very hard we actually work as a society to not allow this natural self worth, natural expression to be there by not holding it with the value and appreciation that it deserves.
Absolute Gold Johanna.
Everything starts with self. What a different world we will live in when teachers embrace that irrespective of the system they work in, truly caring for themselves within, it is an essential and beautiful thing.
When this way of being is then brought into the classroom we will allow all children the most important lesson of all – an opportunity to believe in themselves, whether they are top of the class or the bottom.
It is beautiful to read your questions Johanna. How fortunate are we to have you here. What you say made me consider both how children can educate us in many ways, and that we are all truly teachers. The philosophy you present could be applied to all our relationships in life. “Just be You. You are already Awesome.” What a super loving lesson.
As other readers have commented, we remember the teachers who did connect with us, who loved sharing their enthusiasm for their subject, who were generous with sharing their knowledge, and who treated us as equals. As Adele writes “we are all educators” and it is wise to remember that it is not only in the classroom that we can meet children with respect and regard for their preciousness, but in every fleeting moment with them. Thank you Johanna, there is always more…..
Thank you Bernadette – Yes some teachers do really stand out when we look back and compare them to all of what we received in our education. Wouldn’t it be amazing if all educators held and lived the responsibility of the actual quality that they bring to the children, the school etc and for students it wouldn’t then be the ‘one teacher’ that shone but instead the students would see each teacher and appreciate them for the unique quality that they brought to the teaching profession because they would all be ‘shining teachers’. I was fortunate enough to share a conversation with my nine year old daughter, where she freely expressed how awesome her teacher is this year. Listening to her reasons were all about the way he connects and is with the children. I love the fact that she appreciates this as it is taking place.
Beautiful Johanna. “When we make it about relationships and people first… the teaching part becomes simple.” Truly inspiring.
Thank you Johanna this is such a rich article with so many for us to ponder, not just teachers, but all educators and in some way or another, we are all educators.
Johanna, if only we all had the experience of having a teacher with your philosophy, wow, I imagine the world would be a very different place. Your grace, attention and love comes through not only this article but how you are with these children, how blessed they are indeed.
Imagine a world if you will if all student teachers were taught this as the way, not to just teach from but the way to live each and everyday. And imagine a world if you will where all children were taught from this livingness from self love and learning lovingly. Johanna absolutely love what you have shared you truly are an inspiration and a beautiful reflection for children, teachers, parents & everyone equally so.
I have been as an adult learning how important it is to take me in my fullness to every situation. Also to apply that level of love and care to everything I do, with no holding back, knowing that when I am connected to my essence at that level, love will be the foundation of my choices. I have had to relearn this as an adult because I had long abandoned and forgotten that connection. In the face of everything in current society that encourages disconnection from ourself, what a true gift it is when we acknowledge, appreciate and honour our young in a way that helps them maintain that connection.
Just about to commence another school term and I felt to re read this….so glad I did. It’s like reading my own words, my own philosophy and not just for school and teaching. How great is it in life when we:
“Are engaged with eye contact and a caring voice.
Feel heard and understood …..
Are allowed the time to process information and develop in (our) own way.”
It’s a way of being that comes from how we live and I still have much to learn, but I know what you have written here is absolutely true and it inspires. Thank you, Johanna.
I am truly inspired by your comments and wisdom Johanna; you are a great light in the educational world inviting others to follow. I know there are many teachers who do love, connect, communicate and educate young people in a way that does support the young person to be themselves, confidently and courageously in a world that is often hard and controlling. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and yourself
“For me, true learning stems from the children. It is a result of what makes sense to them and has meaning. No one likes to learn something if they cannot on some level understand the purpose behind it. As kids love fun and playfulness, I aim to offer students learning of concrete and important information through play and engaging them wherever I can”
Love this paragraph, and the whole blog. Super awesome! I wish you were my teacher. Although I’m no longer in school this is how I would love my children to be raised as well as any other child I know that is still in school. To first and foremost be connected to and encouraged to be themselves and that everything else will work itself out.
“Just be You. You are already Awesome. Now let’s give you the support and training in all subjects while you ascertain what you feel drawn to pursue and thus study further so you may eventually bring your awesomeness to the world, in the profession in which you choose to bring it.”
Some of us, to this day, can recall every exquisite detail of the first teacher that we fell in love with: their smile, their hair, their warmth, their kindness – all held deep within our ‘grown-up’ hearts. This teacher was the one adult who was not our mum or our dad, who could really see who we were without us having to do anything. We would walk into the room and they would light up and smile and greet us with their all. These people stand like stars in a darkened sky to the small child who feels everything. Thankyou Johanna for sharing your glow and making it about people first in a world that can often rate us last.
What a truly wise presentation for anyone who works as a teacher. What I love is that not only is there such a strong sense of joy as you describe what it is like to have this role, but also there is a total absence of “control”. The word control is not used, there is no sense that you need to control the children. Quite the opposite – they through their natural ways guide the learning. Amazing, amazing article that the world needs to see – thank you Johanna.
I agree that teachers have an enormous degree of responsibility. For young children, school is their world – it is the ‘work’ that they get up and, do day-in day-out, just like the jobs that we as adult do. And the teacher is responsible for setting the tone of their world, for setting the tone of the classroom, and of how the children are to interact and relate with one another. This seems obvious, but if we connect to the fact of the absolute preciousness of each and every child – and their equal value as young human beings – then being the sole coordinator of this all, for many children at the same time, is quite a massive thing.
The way you are approaching teaching, Joanna, is admirable; as is your commitment to rising to meet the full responsibility that such a job entails.
I love what you have expressed here. Setting the tone is definitely a huge part of a teachers job even though it is not something that we are specifically taught. And it’s true the tone that is set by a teacher directly influences the shape of the world that that little person receives during their school year.
Wow Johanna, this is gold! What I realized while reading it, is that not just in school, but every time an adult is with a child, the adult is in the role of teacher with the responsibilities that you outline in your philosophy of teaching. However we also must remain aware, with humility, that we learn as much or more from children than they do from us, so it is never about ‘lecturing’ to an inferior but sharing with an equal partner. They may not have all the words and the life experiences yet, but they are equals in every other way and should be treated with equality and tenderness. I had the beautiful experience a few days ago of spending the day with a ten year-old boy who has long-term difficulties in his relationships. By being just simply myself in our communications, not in ‘parent’ or ‘teacher’ or ‘superior adult’ mode and not pandering, yet looking out for the child in an adult way as we went about, I witnessed something amazing. The dark scowling face, the glaring black eyes, the sullen unresponsiveness, fell away within a short time. Instead, meeting me with shining open brown eyes and relaxed open face, communicating sometimes with words, or silence or laughter, was a luminous, loving person who I totally enjoyed being with, no regard for age difference, gender, background….. We felt at ease in each other’s company, and sure enough, he learned from me and I learned from him. What a gift to have the opportunity to be myself with and for him and me!
This is beautiful Dianne. As someone who has spent many, many years in childcare and in classrooms, I have had countless sobering moments where I literally stopped dead in my tracks and said “hang-on…who exactly is teaching who here?!” Now, as a mum, I get a small piece of this magic in my face everyday and I love it! As you say: ‘sharing with an equal partner’. Our roles as ‘teacher’ and ‘student’ are interchangeable and if we allow it, there is so much evolution on offer -the world is both our playground and our classroom.
They may not have all the words and the life experiences yet, but they are equals in every other way and should be treated with equality and tenderness. So very true, and so lovely to read your example and that learning is a two way flow.
I totally agree Diane that we have a responsibility to be the “teacher” each time we are with child, but at the same time to be so aware how we are teaching. Each moment I spend with any one of my grandchildren is an opportunity to be with them in equal-ness and to listen to what they have to say, as yes, they do have so much to teach us. Being with them is like being in the classroom of life – it’s a gift and it’s so much fun!
I agree- I am always learning from kids. You say that they may not always have the words or experiences, which is true but to add to that- I feel that this is how they can come out with so much truth- they have fresh eyes and just say it as it is without a story behind it. That for me is learning.
Thanks Johanna, you have confirmed what I have felt for a long time about the importance and responsibility of our teachers.
I felt totally crushed, disempowered and unmet by the majority of the teachers that I encountered for my first 40 years as a student.
In my time at school, I had one teacher in grade 3 and another for biology in year 9 that truly loved their jobs. They shared, laughed, played, were real and most importantly treated every student like they were important and worth hearing. Most of all, they gave me the hope and inspiration to never give up on being me; the most precious gift of all.
Are engaged with eye contact and a caring voice.
Feel heard and understood by their educators and classmates.
Are allowed the time to process information and develop in their own way.
This alone, done with the beautiful care and passion teachers enter teaching with (knowing they have something to give back and share) is so supportive. Imagine if this was mandated- put care first-imagine if just this happened in every school in every class. A huge pressure would be lifted as the focus would be about quality and care then educating material.
Great article Johanna. The point that you make about students spending as much time in the classroom with their teacher as time with their parents, brings up another discussion. Most working parents come home from work after 5:30pm and send their kids to bed around 9pm. This is about 3-4 hours of potential time parents have with their kids on weekdays. I dare say that during this time, many, if not most parents in our society come home exhausted and just check out with a beer/wine in front of the tv and our children are just as checked out playing a video game during this time. So if we are not spending the time with our children, who is it that actually raises them??? As a secondary school teacher I have come across many, if not a majority of our youth who lack the basic ability to communicate in a non-abusive manner and possess little sense of integrity or responsibility. This is a reflection of how we are as a society and what we teach through example to our children. So it comes down to teachers to reflect this to our children. The job of teaching has become more than just delivering the curriculum, it has become the job of being a point of reflection for our children, a role-model if you like. I am willing and able to be this point of reflection, however, we have to ask ourselves as parents, are we depending too much on teachers to actually raise our children?
Incredible Marshall, and more needs to be said about this – not just pay and conditions for teachers that we all know are far from adequate – but what is being witnessed everyday.
Most people are in deal about how awful it has become from teens, or we blame the kids.
It’s just amazing what you bring in education. Meeting the students in what they are is so important. In my study its exactly that what I miss, there is so much to do wrong or don’t know, but if you would be supported to become the true you and get the tools you need in this world with it, that would be amazing!
“To me, teaching is about connecting to the kids first.” How very true of every profession. It is always the connection with people that is of value in any activity or any business.
This is a lovely, simple reminder Rebecca, ‘It is always the connection with people that is of value in any activity or any business.’
What if all student teachers were offered as part of their curriculum, your philosophy Johanna, I agree with Gabriele we would all want to be your students!
This blog makes a lot of sense. Working in a job where I provide information to customers I sit back now and reflect on how I teach/present that information. Rather than coming from “I know this and so do you” it has been a style of conversation that often repeats itself word for word, it feels scripted and empty. Living in a way knowing that I know what I am presenting, because I have lived and experienced proof, and that the customer knows as well is a completely different way of approaching such interactions. Thank you.
What a beautiful philosophy and way of living you have Johanna. As an early childhood educator I too feel that connecting first to the child is the most important role of the teacher. Children thrive on connection as do we all and I can feel from your blog such a loving support you must provide to them. Thank you for your inspiration and sharing it is very reaffirming for me that I am where I am meant to be and that is with children.
Can you be my teacher next time around please? “Just be you, you are already awesome” is definitely a message worth growing up with and such a change from either the cowering and fearfulness or the arrogance and rebellion as a reaction to the lack of true connection that our education systems world-wide seem to foster.
I thought the same thing! I want a teacher like this next time around too!
I agree Ariana. In my own experience, I have found that for most students, their ability to do well in a subject is very closely related to the teachers and their ability to get children involved, make the subject interesting and understandable, and nurture the child’s enthusiasm. So many children who simply think in a different way are labelled ‘difficult’, ‘dumb’ or ‘slow’ when in fact we are all naturally brilliant.
I agree Rebecca, I can’t help but muse whether some end of term reports comments aren’t, on some occasions, more like reflections on that teachers ‘success’ , in engaging the student.
I agree with what you have written here Rebecca, ‘So many children who simply think in a different way are labelled ‘difficult’, ‘dumb’ or ‘slow’ when in fact we are all naturally brilliant.’ I work as a volunteer supporting children with their reading in a school and i can see and feel how brilliant and unique all of the children are and how they learn differently and yet some are labelled as ‘slow’ or ‘struggling’ when in fact they simply learn at a different pace and in a different way to the rest of the class, it is damaging to label children in this way as this can stay with them all of their lives.
Dear Johanna, as I re-read your blog I feel that the key principles that you present have been lived before in communities such as the Essenes, and harken back to a simpler life where connection was paramount and learning was based on what was needed to support the community.
“Just be You. You are already Awesome.” What a beautiful message to give to children as a starting point in their education. This is a message that we all need to hear. How different our world would be if we all lived with this awareness.
Johanna, fantastic article on your philosophy of teaching and the real responsibility of being a teacher. I loved to read it and felt much joy in my body when I did, deeply inspiring and amazing, yet simple in its approach of how best to meet children in education. I also work in education and your blog is a lovely reminder of what I actually bring to the children in my care on a daily basis which I had not fully appreciated until now.I will read your teaching philosophy again and again, and share with my colleagues.
Truly inspiring Ariana! It is so important for children to feel safe and nurtured first and foremost because it is this that creates a warm and loving atmosphere for children to explore and learn and communicate themselves. And i love what you wrote: ‘To the best of my ability I make my interactions with the children I work with to be meaningful, fun, engaging and filled with purpose… this creates a feeling of equal-ness in our meeting and engagement becomes effortless’. Awesome!
Yes, how they feel us is what the rest of the educating is then set upon. So this is truly important to create a safe, nurturing relationship and space for them and with them.
Children can teach us so much if we are willing to learn.
Wow, just feeling the enormity of what you are writing here.
Teachers do have such an amazing opportunity with the children they teach, and for all the children it has an enormous influence on them whether that is that day, or throughout their lives. We all remember certain teachers in our lives, and for me it was one who made an effort to connect to me, and not allow my rather arrogant childish behaviour, but reflect something more – a bigger picture that included everyone in it.
Your teaching philosophy provides a gold standard to what is important, and I love the way you write that it is about being there to support the child to figure out their expression, as so often it is about forcing them to learn the curriculum to pass exams.
I agree Simon I love this too, ‘being there to support the child to figure out their expression,’, it is true that ‘so often it is about forcing them to learn the curriculum to pass exams.’
A great point Rosanna. Each of us always inherently knows what is best for us and it serves us and everyone else well, when we honour that. Children are no different and in fact they are very sensitive and aware. If we do not encourage them to ignore their true feelings, they will know and sense what way of learning and interacting works best for them.
“Use your words”, thanks for sharing that Sue, It feels lovely and I shall remember it, may be not just with children.
It’s a really important point you make Johanna when you say that “children know a lot more than we as adults give them credit for”, they are far more in touch with how things feel for them and so it would stand to reason that they will know and sense what way of learning and interacting works best for them. A great reminder to never underestimate our little ones, thank you.
This article gets more beautiful with every read. Thank you Johanna for being an inspiration for all, especially with the care of children.
I so agree with all you say in this article Johanna. Yesterday at the primary school where I volunteer a young teacher was anxious because she was to be ‘observed’ during a lesson. She was worried that the children were excited with the preparations for Christmas and that workmen were outside making a noise and this would affect how the children behaved. I said, ‘Well, I observe you every day I spend time in your class and you are an excellent teacher.’ I could see the anxiety evaporate and she connected with the children and presented a beautiful lesson.
Beautiful support you offered this woman in that moment Mary! This a a lovely example showing those moments of support we offer another really do make a difference and all it takes are a few kind and true words. Thank you Mary.
Beautiful Johanna, thank you for sharing with us your different but much needed attitude to your responsibility to your students.
So true, Sue, the children are so important as they grow into us as adults, but we all could live for ourselves and everyone from these excellent teaching philosophies all the time. What a difference that would make, and it wouldn’t have to be especially for children anymore, as education would be so naturally supportive and loving.
Beautiful article around a much needed topic. I wholeheartedly agree with you when you say “To me, teaching is about connecting to the kids first.” This philosophy can be taken further in making it about people first in all we do, if we did this the systems, governments, universities, banks, companies … basically the world would be in a far different place than it currently is today.
Absolutely Vicky, there are so many systems that are designed to get a result or funnel people through, that the people who are in them often feel totally isolated and let down. Unfortunately if the KPI’s show the system is working, for the goals that have been set, they stay. This philosophy would change that and systems would develop that lasted and truly supported those involved.
Vicky I agree, if we make it about connecting to people, adults and children alike, we as humanity would be in a far better place than we are today.
As a society generally we do not honour or appreciate how influential our school years are. To have teachers who are honoured, supported and respected as a priority of our educators would make the world of difference to classrooms around the globe.
Good point Vanessa – it can’t be easy for Teachers to respect the kids they are teaching, when they are not getting that respect themselves.
Johanna, I love reading your article, it is deeply inspiring and feels like such an amazing, true way to be with children, I loved reading ‘How powerful and unified would our future generations be if all children were supported to:
Develop an unwavering trust in themselves,
Know how to honour themselves and therefore others,
Truly self-care so that they always looked after their bodies,
Develop and practice a way of speaking that is clear, without any force and in a way that does not leave anyone feeling lesser?’
Wow so simple and beautiful, thank you for writing this.
“Children need to feel free to express their feelings and be in a space where their feelings are honoured and not overridden or brushed off. We all feel, and children are extremely in-tune with what is happening around them. Children can spot hypocrisy a mile away”. Knowing that children are feeling all of the time, changes how we view education. Allowing them to feel, and giving them the space to express what they feel, is just as important as all the subjects they are learning. Children have a natural wisdom, we just need to allow them the space to express it.
You are so right Alison, “Allowing children to feel, and giving them the space to express what they feel, is just as important as all the subjects they are learning.” I would say that is crucial to the wellbeing and development of every child.
Beautiful blog. This is absolutely what is needed in schools.
In every aspect of life Elaine.
What a Beautiful blog. Deeply touching. Very powerfull in delivering the possibilities AND responsibilities in teaching children. It actually feels as a beautiful working together between teacher and children where every one can re-trust and re-learn to share their expressions and wisdom. Beautiful. Needed.
A beautiful insight Floris. To allow the children to be themselves, trust and share their expressions openly, the teachers will need to be open to do the same themselves, and of course it becomes a “beautiful working together between teacher and children where every one can re-trust and re-learn to share their expressions and wisdom”.
This is so true Floris, ‘It actually feels as a beautiful working together between teacher and children’. My experience of teaching seems to be that the teachers are the ones that know and the children are ’empty vessels’ to be filled up with knowledge, rather than the teachers and children working together, ‘where every one can re-trust and re-learn to share their expressions and wisdom’
Dear Johanna, the three key elements of your teaching philosophy get to the heart of what life is all about – being in true relationship, looking after ourselves and having purpose. I keep returning to this blog because it inspires me so much that you and others are bringing this integrity into classrooms and throughout your life.
Thank you Janet. It is inspiring that so many who know have reconnected to the truth of who we truly are and know that life is about people and love- are making a true difference through daily choices, reflection and self responsibility.
It cannot be underestimated how a group of children who are encouraged and supported to grow up and be in their fullness will benefit humanity. What an amazing article to remind me of the true priorities when raising children as opposed to teaching them how to compete and survive in the rat race, so to speak.
I love this post. Consistently holding the space for a child to know irrefutably that regardless of what the world may throw at him/her, that they are perfect as they are without trying, that it is well worth them honouring what they feel, that their expression is a precious contribution –- this is the greatest teaching any teacher can offer a child.
As an adult in the recent years I was consistently offered this for some time, it allowed me to rebuild my trust in my knowing and an understanding of the dynamics in life. For a child to get this support early on, in a world that brings the opposite, is priceless.
Gorgeous Golnaz, ‘Consistently holding the space for a child to know irrefutably that regardless of what the world may throw at him/her, that they are perfect as they are without trying’.
Johanna, this is such a beautiful and honest blog, I LOVE it. I can read it again and again and can see how our great our education system will be one day with such a philosophy. You are a true inspiration and bring huge change, to your colleagues, to the children, their parents and the school system. Looking forward to read more about your experiences as a teacher and what you come across at school.
‘To me, teaching is about connecting to the kids first.’ is the start of your awesome blog! I love how you use this as the foundation for everything you write after that. I agree with you: teaching (or other work) is about connecting to the kids (or people) first. Without connection there is nothing.
It is easy as an adult to disconnect to the fact that children are feeling all the time and responding to what they feel in their actions. What a blueprint you lay down Johanna of how we can appreciate the unique qualities of each individual child and allow them to flourish in their own ways.
Absolutely true. What a gorgeous blueprint for allowing children to flourish. And we could start being the same with the adults among us too.
I feel that – ‘My learning philosophy – the real responsibility of a STUDENT’ would be an incredible follow on to your blog Johanna… It is very important for children and young people to be open to the opportunity to be truly educated by a teacher.
Love that, Susie. I know that my opportunities to serve as a teacher are greatly enhanced by the open-ness of the students.
This could so easily start the most beautiful revolution in education. Reading it gave me goosebumps. What I love is how you say that this is not about replacing the education system, but about bringing more of ourselves to it in order to give children the opportunity to be amazing adults in the future. That is the most amazing investment opportunity I think I have ever heard of.
Johanna this is so beautiful to read and see the way teaching will be as an inspiration from teachers like you and others on in the comments and the joy for children to be met for who they are and all they bring as themselves.
What an amazing education system when teachers are respecting themselves with the real integrity and love you have highlighted and this being shown and reflected to all children. It is what we have all been missing and truly being met with each other is a what we have all been looking for without knowing it.
Thank you for this article.
This article represents for me the joy rather than burden of responsibility. As part of humanity and with understanding about the impact everyone of us has on everyone else, how can I not pay careful regard to everything I do.
The world is crying out for you and your teaching philosophy Johanna, I feel things have come along way since I was at school but in most cases there is still so much to learn. Children after all are just little adults.
Your classroom feels like a wonderful environment for the children to grow in and thrive. As we know children sense a lot about the teachers and I can remember knowing when a teacher was treating a child with indifference.
The children in your charge will not be taking that feeling with them – this way of parenting can change the world.
Very inspirational Johanna.
Exactly and what I also love is the way that it can support, as Johanna has shared, children to grow up and not feel they need to change themselves to suit their boss, family, partner etc.. but remain true to themselves.
It certainly is a game changer Julie…to simply allow a child to be themselves…so simple, but so profound.
I love re-reading your blog. I have struggled in my life regarding purpose and so, for these children to have a teacher who makes the learning, ‘ filled with purpose…’ is a real gift. I will ponder on what that is for me in my life now in greater depth so thank you.
It is great to read this article – it is so inspirational to know that there are people like you in in places of work, particularly schools, presenting and living this approach to others. When I meet children who have been fortunate to have been met in this way it is such a joy as they express from truth and with love.
This is so poignant Johanna: “I like to make sure the children know that they matter and are valued.” This feels so crucial to the classroom (and in any relationship with children), for them to feel they have been ‘met’ for all that they are as opposed to simply the small child. Children are wise, and knowing and when we give them the chance to express this, we will find we have the most amazing relationships with them.
Very true Rosanna and as Kev says a little further down, children are small adults. And what I find delightful is that they have not yet developed a pattern of holding back because of the constraints of society we have created, so at times they pop out incredible insights. Johanna’s intention to make sure they know they matter and are valued is a great way of ensuring they do not close down in the face of pressures from the outside and keep their awesomeness as they grow up.
Yes Rosanna, everyone can relate to feeling valued by another and it is so important that children feel this early on. For them to know their true worth and value and that they are seen for that first and foremost supports them, I feel, to have a natural confidence in themselves – something that is greatly lacking in children and teenagers as they grow up.
Teachers have such a great deal of influence over the lives and minds of children and the adults they later become. I have always remembered the teachers that were able to truly see me. This in many ways is greater than any knowledge any teacher could impart.
Well said Jinya. I have always remembered the teachers that truly saw me too and it made a huge difference to the way I saw myself. “This in many ways is greater than any knowledge that any teacher could impart” – I know from my own experience, this to be the most important part of teaching. We cannot underestimate the power a teacher holds when they see children for who they are and meet them from that point. It would be supportive if this was deeply recognised and shared in every teacher training college everywhere. It is the key point to education and yet it is fundamentally missed when we are trained.
Well said Jinya, teachers do have a great role to play, their truth and honesty with a child can make a world of difference as that child grows up. So it is ever so important that teachers understand what they bring to children’s life.
Exactly Amita, a teacher can change the whole child’s life by how they are and the way they are whilst teaching. A truly inspiring teacher makes an amazing difference.
Both as a mother and a teacher I have been blown away by so many moments when with humility I have allowed myself to learn from children, coming to truly know that there is an innate wisdom in us all and that there is no place for an ‘adults know best’ attitude.
I agree Mary, I was discussing with one of my teachers the way exams are done. They are looking not for you to understand the topic, but to be able to word your answers in such a way that they can tick that it is correct. It is rather infuriating because some people, like myself, can understand something, but not get good grades because they/I can’t manipulate that understanding to perfectly fit the mark scheme. There is a saying – “Every one is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it’s stupid” (Einstein), which is completely true, and it is one of the reasons there needs to be a change with the way we educate and examine.
Re-reading this blog today gave me such a strong feeling of you connecting with me. I could feel from your words how you take the time to connect with the children and it feels beautiful. Thank you for this, I will take it into my day.
‘My philosophy is a lived one’. That would make an interesting addition to the syllabus for any uni course in philosophy.
I am asking the question ‘Is my philosophy a lived one?’ in our unfolding path class time this term and am looking forward to the gems imparted from the innate wisdom of the children I have the privilege to work with.
Johanna I love the way you share “That we have an opportunity to not only educate that child but to reflect, to inspire and foster within them a true way of being.”. a great inspiration to teachers.
Your example, Shami is a powerful one, “It is the difference between asking the child to empty the dishwasher because it just needs to be done, and asking because it supports the whole family which they are a part of. So, is school education about learning to be a part of the wider family – the whole of humanity?” Imagine if this was the underlying principle of education, rather than gaining good grades so that we can get good jobs, so that we can keep the economy turning. What an enormous shift in emphasis on life this would bring as we would make life about everyone not just getting ahead of others.
I love what you have written here, it’s so simple ,’ I like to make sure the children know that they matter and are valued – that they are being heard, and that they are seen, felt and ‘met’ for the amazing beings they naturally are, rather than being recognised solely for what they do or achieve.’ And truly inspiring to read how we have a responsibility to truly care for ourselves and how this helps the children feel safe and nurtured, this really helps me to understand the importance of self-care.
Johanna, this sentence you write about “No one likes to learn something if they cannot on some level understand the purpose behind it. ” speaks volumes to me, and is also so relevant for parenting. It is the difference between asking the child to empty the dishwasher because it just needs to be done, and asking because it supports the whole family which they are a part of. So, is school education about learning to be a part of the wider family – the whole of humanity? If it is, then what an incredibly important role teachers have.
Beautiful point Shami. The education of a purpose behind our actions makes so much difference. It encourages children to feel included and important rather than somehow being singled out when being asked to do something. I know I would have benefited from this clarity as a child.
Shami what you have written makes so much sense and resonates with my heart. I love the example you have given of simply telling a child to empty the dishwasher for the sake of it, or approaching it as a support for the whole family. In each moment and interaction we have the opportunity to bring a greater appreciation as well as to confirm a loving and harmonious way of living.
Johanna, It feels like you have really laid the foundation for what True education should
look like. I am going to share this with my daughter’s teacher and as a parent too, it is really an amazing basis for connecting and honoring ourselves and thus our children. What you have offered takes so much of the intense pressure off of kids to live up to all these expectations and demands on them that I know myself have placed on my daughter during times that I did not feel ‘enough’ myself.
Your teaching philosophy is amazing! Imagine if more teachers adopted the same philosophy. Every child is different and so needs to be meet according to what he or she needs. Knowing that all is energy, it is an opportunity for us all to realise the impact that we can have on someone for a very long time.
I have really loved every word you have written here and can feel the lived expression of what you have said.
I have always been amazed with the teachers and their selfless dictation. My feelings come from teachers I was taught by and the ones that taught my children. You will always remember the special teachers and the mark they have left on you. To know there are teachers like Johanna out there with her Teaching Philosophy is heart felt.
You make a great point Johanna when you write that teachers spend as much of the day with the children as their parents do, there is a huge responsibility that comes with this. That is why what you bring here is so important, your 3 key elements and your ‘Teaching Philosphy’ would help to bring around a big change in the education system.
Thank you for the thoroughness and care with which you have expressed your understanding of the role you have as a teacher. Your philosophy provides inspiring insight about how we all can be with children – although teachers specifically focus on this role, in our interactions with children we all have an impact. How we live provides a reflection for them about life that is far more powerful than any text book. Everything written by Johanna can apply equally to us who, although not “teachers” in role, are none-the-less a powerful source of learning for the young. And in fact most of what is written about the relationship and responsibility to children can equally apply to the grown ups we relate to. This philosophy is a philosophy about how we can be with every other human being.
This is so true Golnaz. What if every adult took the care and responsibility for every child they came into contact with and not just limit their dedication to their own children? What if children saw the amazing care reflected to them by the way all adults were with themselves and to all other adults? Our world would be completely different and our children would grow up with an enormous amount of support to also be the caring and deeply loving beings that they naturally are.
I am sure this is a world we all want for our children and our children’s children. And for all. Each one of has has the potential to make an amazing impact and reflect the truth of who we are or not!
Johanna and Golnaz what you share is huge, “What if every adult took the care and responsibility for every child they came into contact with and not just limit their dedication to their own children?” I agree with you, our world would be completely different and children would find it easier to be themselves. From then on how we operate as a society would shift.
I love this, Golnaz. Another moment when allowing attention to detail expand into the big picture. What Johanna has shared about the true foundation for teaching is a model for humanity. Everything matters and everything has an impact on everyone. Nothing is too small or too big.
It is very heart warming to hear from other teachers on these comments who have made their way of teaching and being with children a “Living and Lived philosophy”. What wonderful inspiration for the children to be all of themselves in a school environment. Thank you.
Yes Rosanna, I completely agree. I am so touched, inspired and blown away by the immense level of care and love expressed in these comments.
Heartfelt thanks to everyone!
I often hear of cases where children or parents are told off when the children aren’t interested in school, and I have always felt it was the responsibility of the teachers to make life at school interesting. I see now that one of the simple steps we need to make as both parents and teachers is to engage with the children. In industry they talk about ‘employee engagement’ but pay lip service to it with fancy techniques. In my view, as with school children, it is really simple: truly meeting them, with clear eye contact, being open to them, and letting yourself be ‘seen’ by them. This to me is true engagement. I have found that when I develop my self-care and self-awareness, and deal with my own issues, or at least know what they are and how they block me off, then I can be fully available and more open to all. When I live in this way I know I inspire others too.
This is lovely Carmel, very simple and makes complete sense, ‘In my view, as with school children, it is really simple: truly meeting them, with clear eye contact, being open to them, and letting yourself be ‘seen’ by them’.
That’s beautiful Carmel. Thanks for your sharing.
Great point Carmel. As a recently graduated secondary school teacher, we were taught that student engagement is all about planning highly stimulating and busy lessons using various teaching strategies whilst bombarding the student with ICT (ipads, interactive white boards, etc). Nothing is really mentioned about simply connecting with students as a means of engagement. My lesson plans through my first year of full-time teaching have become simpler and simpler and involve increasingly and less textbook teaching/learning strategies and video/interactive white board stimulation to increasingly more open ended discussion and reflection in the classroom. The results have been awesome with me being less stressed out because I don’t have the pressure of delivering a referenced, multimedia, cooperative learning lesson 5 periods a day. Instead I can focus more on just being more relaxed and fun in the class. This allows me to connect more with my students instead of being stressed out about how I am going to keep them entertained for 50 minutes. Essentially, it seems in education the term ‘student engagement’ has become more like ‘student distraction’ so that you don’t have to actually engage and connect with them.
Marshall that is profound what you have observed, that with the focus on doing more and more to entertain the students under the banner ‘student engagement’, it seems that “‘student engagement’ has become more like ‘student distraction’ so that you don’t have to actually engage and connect with them.” Prompts me to also consider how often in life do we opt for entertaining and distraction of the other person – young or old – rather than simply being ourself and truly connecting with them.
I am in my first year of teaching and am blown away regularly by the power of honesty and love. In my head I get all fouled up in the system’s ‘net’ about tasks and children’s progress, but what I experience day to day in my time with the children is that nothing matters more than them being met and honoured for simply being them. It is from here that true learning can happen rather than just the filling of heads. Thank you, Johanna, for the support of your writing.
I agree with you Matilda, there is nothing that matters more to children than being met and honoured for simply being them. Observing their body language and face when this is done is quite beautiful, their eyes light up, and their bodies open, relax and settle. You can visibly see them take an exhalation and let go, as if they are saying to themselves at that moment I am ok to be me! I feel in that moment the push and drive to be more releases and an inner confirming takes place. They feel stronger with less of a wobble.
Johanna, Matilda and Rachel delightful reading what you have tenderly written and your understanding about meeting and honouring children, that delights my heart and it is a joy that you are actually teaching, and children are experiencing this first hand from you.
What a treasure the children have in you being with them Matilda. That’s so simple and amazing. I completely agree with everything you shared. How great for you and all the little ones you come into contact with, that you have this knowing at the beginning of your career. And what an inspiration your presence and quality will be to all others teachers who work around you.
Thank you
What a support to have a teacher like you Johanna, I struggled with school and always felt like I wasn’t understood or because I didn’t understand what was being taught I was stupid. To have the next generation reminded how amazing they are for being them and not what they do – is super encouraging, thank you.
“Just be You. You are already Awesome. Now let’s give you the support and training in all subjects while you ascertain what you feel drawn to pursue and thus study further so you may eventually bring your awesomeness to the world, in the profession in which you choose to bring it.”
This is incredible to read, I can only imagine how powerful it would be to receive as a school student caught up in the miasma of choices and unknowns they face today. With so much pressure on grades, jobs, degrees, incomes, etc. this would keep it very simple and very real, alleviating the strain of making it about things they may not know and cannot guess the outcomes and possibilities of.
I love your blog Johanna and agree with all that you have written. I have been teaching for over twenty years and always made caring for the children my first priority, but as I struggled with overwhelm and was always having colds and feeling run down… I wonder what level of care this really was? As you so rightly say one of the main ingredients of true support and care for the children is to care for yourself first. This I didn’t always do until I was made truly aware of it from Universal Medicine. By developing this in myself first I know that the level of care and support I can offer my pupils has changed unfathomably. It has transformed the way I am with myself and the children in the classroom, it has transformed the way they learn. Self-care has transformed my life.
Awesome Rachel. By what you have shared, you are a living example of this – how can we possibly look after others if we do not look after ourselves.
That would be awesome! And I can imagine that it would be refreshing for teachers to be told on their first day in a school or on the first professional development day of the year- that your main job is to care for yourself and the children before, above and beyond the policies and documents that we use in our educating system. Imagine how supported the staff would all feel toward each other if care was the number one priority. Imagine how staff would actually relate toward each other and then toward the children. We can all start with this way in our own way now though and not wait for the system to change from the top down. We make the system as a group.
Johanna this feels gorgeous if it were like this. They’d be no competition between teachers just supporting of one another.
True. I also think there would not be any competition between any people adults or students if this was practiced and lived.
There is a lot of media and talk about Super Schools of late in my local area, and much debate around their merits or otherwise. With the focus being so politically oriented it is easy to lose sight of the central purpose that schools are intended to fulfill in the lives of young people. Your blog Johanna strips back all of the ‘window dressing’ about schools and education and brings the focus firmly back to the quality of care of the young person as the primary importance. And how essential then is it that teachers are encouraged and supported to care for themselves first, as the central tenet of this foundation. And I love your proposition:
‘….imagine… for teachers to be told on their first day in a school or on the first professional development day of the year- that your main job is to care for yourself and the children before, above and beyond the policies and documents. Imagine how supported the staff would all feel toward each other if care was the number one priority. Imagine how staff would actually relate toward each other and then toward the children.’
I haven’t heard of Super Schools over in my area but I do know that there is definitely a drive to get the kids to achieve. Achieving educationally is great and it is the point of our learning however, what is presented here is that it does not need to be at the expense and cost of children not being met and losing themselves to fit into the education system and the pressures it places. From what I see in society with illness and disease, with the lack of relationship and connection between people in general- falling for the ‘doing’, the ‘achieving’ and the ‘identification’ has not got us very far, in fact we seem to be involving not evolving.
Johanna This was such a joy to read. I can feel the children absolutely love your way of being with them. I worked a little while in schools and they really appreciated the understanding, care and support in the way I was with them. I noticed so many teachers feel such pressure to get the children to attain that both teachers and children then focused on the attainment or non attainment and not each other first.
I would have loved to be taught by you as I am sure would so many.
Thank you Karin. Yes the kids do feel comfortable and I get this confirmation when they do or say very loving things to also support me or the classroom more, such as the other day when I had a moment of not being bothered to bend down on the floor and place some readers down, so I just dropped them on the floor into their spot from where I was sitting (unlike me). One of my 6 year old students said ‘you didn’t have to drop it like that’.
I found this awesome because it made me stop, I knew this but I loved that he knew that was unusual for me and that he felt comfortable enough to pull me up. For me, this moment was a confirmation of the relationships formed and how we can all support love in the classroom.
You make a good point about being listened to and being seen Ariana. I didn’t have that experience whilst at school, probably because I wasn’t there that much, but when I joined the Army, amongst all the shouting, abuse and disrespect, there was one officer who genuinely cared and made those first few months bearable. Out of all the people I met in the Army, he is the only one I have fond memories of, which goes to show how much of an impact one person can have.
It is interesting to read the comments above that there was a t least one teacher who we felt understood by. For me it was the same. I had one teacher at the age of ten who I felt, “got me” too and the confidence this gave stayed with me all through life. With all the other subsequent teachers who I didn’t feel truly supported by I would make internal reference to the one who did at any moment and felt reassured. Her support stayed eternal.
That is such an amazing reflection Rachel and so re-assuring. It shows how important it is that we never hold back our truth in the assumption that what we can offer is insignificant – as it is so much more than we give ourselves credit for and can have such a lasting effect on someone else.
Imagine if we felt reassured by all our teachers and it wasn’t one that stood out but all equally stood out.
So true Tim, the teachers I remember, in the few moments where I wasn’t daydreaming at school were the ones who connected with me and showed an interest in me on a personal level. We have to support our teachers to be the person 1st and the teacher 2nd. Kids will connect to that so much more it feels and the teacher isn’t burdened with quite the same pressure to be a certain way.
Connection and feeling met is so powerful and strong. You’re right Tim- It does just go to show, especially when we tend to hold and feel these fond memories and interactions for so long.
Lovely, thanks for sharing.
That’s amazing in that situation. It just goes to show how powerful connection is.
Johanna, my experience of school was filled with anxiety because I knew the first thing in the morning would be is how well we know about the lesson in geography, maths or history from the previous day… So we would have to stand up in front of the class and get interrogated. I was hiding under the table for as long as I could. Although I had the same teacher several years in a row, I found many of the others teachers even more scary. Aside from that the other teachers were offering to go on skiing trips in winter which was a no-no for me as I was still wetting my bed every night (this is how anxious I was!). This is still something I feel surfaces for me at times in my everyday life… it is a work in progress even though I have much more understanding and greater self-worth.
I can feel how sad/anxious you felt as a child Alexandre. Thank you for sharing. I’ve now become much more aware of how I have the opportunity to be much more responsible in everything I say or do (as a teacher or otherwise) and how all of these things can influence or impact another person. It inspires me to be even more vigilant in every meeting or interaction I have with people, whether child or adult, to feel they are appreciated, and supported.
Alex, I remember teachers who scared me and kept discipline that way, and learning was achieved in fear rather than enjoyment. Then there were other teachers whose discipline was wonderfully easy because they were confident in themselves and respected us. I enjoyed those lessons and felt willing to learn, in the way learning was approached then. When I experience teachers now, so much has changed, they have much more relationship with the class and learning is a lot more about exploration than pure facts. Yet they are so pressured by the system that there is very little room for quiet moments and spontaneous, playful, creative times.
Good call Joan. I agree.
Years ago I used to stay with a friend sometimes who was a teacher, we used to stay up talking and drinking wine till the early hours of the morning. After a few hours sleep she would go off and teach secondary pupils and I’d go to my job as a gardener. I used to wonder and admire her for being able to do this as I would just potter around hungover not having to interact with others. At the time I didn’t even imagine or worry what affect this would be having on the kids. I shudder to think about it now and also understand my part in it, for if I hadn’t been there to drink with she wouldn’t have drunk so much.
Wow Kevin- What an amazing realisation. I know exactly what you mean. Before I started taking more care of myself and choosing to be aware, I also was not thinking of the actual level of impact some of the things I saw other teachers do or things that I did was actually having on the kids. I knew of teachers who actually smoked pot at recess or lunch and then went back in and taught pre primary children or who had no problem screaming at children. It’s crazy! For me though, I never went in after drinking but I would get frustrated or irritated when feeling I needed to control the kids when they were mucking around. Now that I have a deeper connection with myself, I am able to see and deal with situations calmly- I keep it simple, I meet the children and when there are behaviour issues, I don’t attach to it or get emotional about it. I just follow an action consequence plan. Kids actually love boundaries and consistency. They can feel when someone cares about them so much that when a ‘no’ or a consequence comes their way, it is done so to support them being all of who they are. The classroom is like a mini setting of the world. Some things are accepted and others are not. We all can learn to be more caring, considerate and loving towards others and in the way we behave. A forever learning!
Johanna this is massive! The impact teachers have on kids is huge and it lays the foundation in which lifetimes are built. I am recently becoming aware of how desperate I am to get it right and be the best and perfect at everything. I fore sake everything else in the name of getting some love or acceptance or recognition in some small amount from the things I do that I’m good at. This has driven so many ideals and beliefs and caused so many physical symptoms in my body… Cutting this horrid self destructive energy by teaching kids to put themselves and their feelings first and teaching them how what they feel is everything…. Well it will solve the worlds problems…. Revolutionary! Go Johanna…. It’s people like you that will inspire the millions!
I understand Rachel. Thank you for sharing. I also catch myself trying or pleasing etc but then I bring it back to simplicity – to how when I stay with the movements of my body and how delicious that feels. For example bringing presence and focus to how my feet feel as they take each step or how my finger tips feel as they hold a marker as I write on the board. I remind myself how amazing I am and the quality I share.
Wow, Johanna, this is stunning! It covers so many aspects of teaching especially, as you say, they spend as much time with teachers as they do with their parents on a school day. We all have a responsibility to meet children and encourage them to be all of who they are, and, as you say, we can do that best by how we live and letting them see the reflection of that. I particularly like your words: “Just be You. You are already Awesome. Now let’s give you the support and training in all subjects while you ascertain what you feel drawn to pursue and thus study further so you may eventually bring your awesomeness to the world, in the profession in which you choose to bring it.”
Johanna. What a magic blog. You wrote from your heart, and gave a very clear understanding of your Philosophy to teaching. The respect you get from your pupils is a credit to you. Imagine if more teachers were allowed to teach this way, and with less restriction from governing bodies…
Johanna you should be a guest speaker at educational conferences and plant the seed that is needed in todays educational system. To instill a method of teaching that is so simple and yet so powerful and expanding for all.
I would love that opportunity Steve.
Yes Ariana, I felt that too. We all have Our one teacher who stood out to us and usually this has been because we felt met or that they understood or they were caring toward us or they were funny and light. We do have an amazing impact on others, in life with people. I remember two teachers who I enjoyed being around and many special moments with a lot of teachers. Our quality is so powerful.
Yes, I also remember one lady teacher who I felt really ‘got me’ and the other ‘moody teenagers’ in my class. The quality she had was very cool, and she commanded all of our attentions because the questions she posed were relevant and meant something to us. By connecting to us first as young people on the brink of adulthood, she consequently had our full attention when studying Shakespeare.
A common thread I have felt in all the teachers that have inspired me most is that I could feel that they actually enjoyed what they were doing – this goes a long way and inspired me to work in a profession that I actually enjoy.
Wow Janet, that sounds like an amazing class room; where there is actually something deeper taking place: A connection to each other and a connection to the subject matter. Not just a person at the front talking at the children/teenagers who have to be sitting there, if they like it or not.
Making learning relevant, connecting with students and paying attention to how we relate absolutely makes all the difference.
Relevance is important, plus inspiring students is key to sustaining their connection.
Your comment Monica brings to mind an image of a gardener tending their precious flowers, treating each flower with the correct care and attention pertinent to each plant and allowing them to blossom in their own natural ways. Our current education systems want flowers in a straight row and all looking the same and alas we don’t grow that way. It is so beautiful to feel how the care and attention that Johanna gives her children she also gives to herself, so that those in her care can learn from the qualities she walks into her classroom with and the quality of her presence every day, a true guiding star from which every child can navigate their way forward in life.
Wonderful analogy of a gardener tending precious flowers and honouring the individual way each flower blossoms. Every child is indeed precious and is to be treated with just as much love and honouring for them to blossom in their own way.
Yes, the flower analogy is beautiful!
How wonderful will it be one day, when those students who are able to be themselves grow up to be adults totally blooming. Adults who then may also choose to go into the teaching profession and let that garden of flowers totally thrive and blossom through the way they are with themselves and the children.
GOLDen flowers everywhere including the Teacher.
Something that the Teachers Are Gold project is already saying- Teachers ‘We are the GOLD’
teachersaregold.com
Love the flower analogy Rowena- simply beautiful!
How awesome would it be if all teachers were taught the importance of meeting the children first and foremost, and allowing their individuality to shine through their work. Also, praising them for who they are, and not solely by what they achieve in marks.
Rowena I just love your analogy of teachers and gardeners attending to their precious blossoms according to their unique needs. To grow and thrive flowers need just the right amount of sunshine, water and fertiliser. To bloom flowers need nourishment that is particular to them, some need lots of sunshine, some need more protection and shade as they are more fragile. Some needs lots of water while some literally drown and rot if given too much. People are no different to flowers as we all have our own unique needs whether they are little or big people.
Your philosophy is True teaching Johanna and music to my ears. This would be something to present to staff and pupils alike as a foundation from which everyone could build. Imagine hearing this as a child and feeling understood and met, at school.
I trained as teacher but after completing the training I did not go into school. At the time the primary reason I gave was because I could not manage the discipline, though underneath that I greatly questioned the whole ethicacy of the school system. If the philosophy that you present was the foundation of the training and within the school system it would have been very different.
I completely understand Jonathan- I also question much about the system. Yes it would be very different if this philosophy was the basis of how we train teachers or any profession.
Keeping it simple and realistic . . . Each day I know I can bring the beauty of me to the kids and allow them to express from who they are. These children are people who will one day be adults, who will one day be in charge of making the choice to reflect something amazing to others and truly meet people with care.
Small changes bring about large ones when enough of us work together.
Amina it is so true what you say there are so many teachers exhausted, with pressure of the pupils getting great grades, and the pressures of the work load, I see this in my sister who is a great teacher and loves her job.
Yes so true Amita and Amina. Teachers do enter the system because they fundamentally care for children. Teachers are amazing and it is a shame when this passion becomes a little lost because of the pressures around. I have found that the more I care for myself I not only can share a lovely quality with the children but I actually have more energy, presence and confidence to deal with the workload and pressures that the school environment can bring. We must also remember that adults and teachers of today are also products of the system. Knowing the power of the ripple effect, inspires me more to take responsibility for myself and for the way I care for myself. I choose to care and meet myself and those around me in the way I wish I had been seen, met and cared for as I grew up. Which is actually what we all deserve.
“Writing ‘My Teaching Philosophy’ was super simple as I decided to just write what I felt to be true for me. I spoke from the practice of my daily living and working in the role of a teacher. To me, teaching is about connecting to the kids first.”
It is amazing how simple it is to write and live something so beautiful when it comes from you. There is no strain and it is not hard work. What’s more not only do you feel great but everyone around you reaps the benefits too as you have clearly shown.
Your philosophy of life feels lived in full. Reading your blog was a joy, it was full of clear and supportive insights into teaching, children and life. The metaphor of teacher or role model can be used in every interaction in life and to come from a place were you care for yourself and know yourself well can be very powerful and supportive. Thank you.
Wow Johanna, this is so awesome to read. Are there any spaces left in your class?
The education system without doubt needs this approach introduced worldwide. This needs to be added to every teacher training syllabus.
Replace the old philosophy we learnt as trainee teachers, which I found boring and definitely not inspirational as you and your philosophy are.
This article shows clearly that we are all teachers and all students at the same time. We learn from each other, children and adults, young and old.
This is amazing, Johanna. So sweet and accessible and it makes so much sense. If children are met and heard it is so natural for them to be themselves and express freely. They are willing and keen to learn, to explore and find out about the world they live in, with no need to fit in to other people’s expectations. This is an astounding foundation as they get older, not needing to unravel complicated belief systems but just making clear and simple choices about their lives, careers and relationships that reflect who they truly are.
How welcome what you say would be Matilda. So many adults feel trapped in jobs and choices they have made due to selling out since childhood to pressures and expectations and beliefs of what they should accomplish. What Johanna has described would be a great foundation for each person to build their life choices that honours them and everyone else.
I completely agree Matilda
Wow this is awesome. This should be a philosophy for us all. The fact is we all have that responsibility to everyone I feel. Universal Medicine has shown me the depth with which I have a responsibiity to myself, and the fact is that we all have that responsibility to ourselves, and it is through honouring that we will be able to act as true role models and teachers to all of humanity. Your philosophy is so real and grounded – it’s beautiful.
I completely agree Phil, it is time that responsibility be seen not for the burden it is thought to be, and not seen as carrying others who won’t carry themselves, but for the gift, for if we all take responsibility for ourselves, we won’t have to take responsibility for others.
That was well said, Rebecca. Imagine if we actually were taught this in school, how would it feel?. That taking responsibility isn’t a burden especially if everyone takes care of themselves and “that we don’t have to see it as carrying others who won’t carry themselves”. Perhaps we feel the burden of having NOT taken responsibility which is why we lace the word?
Thank you Phil. I also have much thanks and appreciation for the true care and reflections presented by Serge and Universal Medicine. Without this I would still be in the ‘getting through the work day’ mentality , surviving on sugar and coffee and feeling drained due to the way I ran my body and did not tenderly care or support myself. And simply this meant that I could not offer the kids any true level of depth or care or even meet them with the level I do today. I don’t remember actually stopping to truly listen to kids before whereas now it is my focus.
I love the beautiful pause feeling that surrounds me and the child as I stop to really listen and look at them. Its magical. Its like the world around me is continuing in the way it chooses but I am engaging with another.
Thank you Phil. Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon I can say, although I had this deep wisdom in me always I re accessed it through being another way with myself – present in my movements and self care and this is all thanks to the reflection and presentations of serge Benhayon.
There are so many great points written here. I love your rhetorical question about how powerful and unified our future generations would be. The four suggestions are incredible and would have far reaching impacts. They all have their place and they are all achievable, yet we seem so far removed from them. Listening to people speak all around, it seems we are moving further away from developing and practicing a way of speaking that is clear, without any force and in a way that does not leave anyone feeling lesser. Everything around us encourages us to do otherwise. It is refreshing to hear and feel when others do speak as such and it is beautiful to know that change is abreast.
When we leave school we tend to forget the impact it has, we put that part of our life behind us or so we think. Its a great point how the impact affects society as a whole and just what a difference this would make.
Great point David – although we think we have put that part of our lives behind us and are so keen to move on, we actually have all moments previously lived with us all the time. Would we be so keen to move on and what a difference it would make if we had such a marker of being met for just who we are from our teachers at school.
Thank you Johanna for such an inspired writing and way of living brought into the Education System and for all Children in the classroom. It is a role model for the world in all areas – work places, public places and in our homes also. This will allow us all to treasure ourselves and be the amazingness we naturally are and to be this reflection everywhere. Such a beautiful Philosophy I love and it needs to be shared everywhere.
I do love the way that we are all a reflection for each other. A very divine design if you ask me!
Teachers should never ever underestimate what powerful role models they are for children as they grow and mature into adults.
This is so true as the education system is the first ‘big wide world’ outside of the family circle that a child experiences. The first place they learn/told how to be in the world. Everyone can learn from Johanna’s philosophy regardless of age. I feel inspired and reminded that my quality affects more than just me.
I can imagine this would have been a shock for a young person who was used to playing and were now asked to sit still and face the front quietly.
So true Doug, Johanna’s teaching philosophy is ‘so full of wisdom and a transparent love for the students’.
Thank you so much for writing a blog that is so natural, down to earth and yet inspiring, that I felt able to share it with my friend, who wants to become a teacher. She loved reading your words, she even took notes and inspiration from what you said because she could so relate. She said she could tell you where really sweet by the way you had written.
That is a great first step in bringing it to the attention of teachers and trainee teachers, Rebecca, and encourages me to share it with the teachers I am in contact with. I have a long time friend who was a very inspiring teacher working in this way, absolutely respecting the children and allowing them to find their own true expression, but she was continually being asked to tick boxes and conform to the increasing trend to put results first. It was not the teaching that exhausted her, or the children, it was the continual pressure from the system. In the end she retired early because of ill health. A great loss to the teaching profession. It is also those that make up the rules who need to be approached.
I agree, I have seen so many amazing teachers with amazing intentions crushed by a system that doesn’t see the person behind the numbers on a page. It needs to change and change starts with the people in education, like me, like you, like Johanna, till we work our way to the top.
Thank you Rebecca and Joan. I am touched by your words. The fact is that teachers enter the profession because they genuinely care for kids but unfortunately many leave because of the pressures. It is the teachers from the inside that can make the change and that change must start with ourselves first . . . so we can bring All that We Are to the classroom while handling the demands and yes, ticking the required boxes but doing so in a way that we are delivering love to the students, our colleagues and everyone who is part of the school environment. Delivering this love through the quality of the way we relate to each other, is what I feel is our stepping stone forward . . . which brings us back to the importance of how we relate to ourself first.
I completely agree Johanna. Children of every age know when the teacher is genuine or not, if the teacher is telling you not to smoke but smokes at lunch time, is talking about relationships but is in a unhappy marriage. The children find it hard to respect someone who is saying “do as I say, not as I do”.
Absolutely. I know I felt exactly like this as a child. I would see people telling me to be good or respect or be nice – which I always, well mostly was as a child. But these people would often yell or make fun of others or put others down and I picked up the hypocrisy a mile away.
Dear Johanna, I just love referring back to this blog as it is just so inspiring. Bringing love into the classroom – I could read about that all day.
A beautifully inspiring blog, and it felt so healing to read your words. It also made such sense that when we honour ourselves first we then are more able to serve fully. I remember feeling that if only the teacher would just ‘go over’ that again I would leave this lesson with a true understanding – but maybe it was more about the relationship – or lack of it – that was getting in the way of me grasping the lesson the first time around. Neither I nor my teachers were then in a place where that supportive relationship could be built.
Thank you Susan. I also remembering feeling like, ‘I just don’t get it’ yet not really getting the time to have it fully explained and I am sure the teachers were not aware when I was feeling unsure or confused. I guess this outlines the importance of knowing those around us and taking the time to really build relationships so we can understand what another’s face looks like when they feel content and joyful and also for us to know when they need support or when they are feeling a little confused.
Awesome blog Johanna. I feel like joining your class right now!! How inspiring it is for those children to have you as their teacher. What if this philosophy was in every workplace throughout the world? How amazing would that be?
I agree with you Tim. It would have been terrific to have a teacher bringing this philosophy into my class at school! What a gift these children have in Johanna!
I agree too Tim! It must be so inspiring to have you, Johanna, as a teacher.
That would be truly amazing and I would love to see and feel the quality of that generation. How they would be when they completed their education and were ready to share all they could offer the world and embrace all it has to offer them.
Jiohanna one day this will be the living truth in the world, the ripple affect that you have started of the philosophy will be felt in many schools and change will take place. As we all stand up for truth and love.
It is so inspiring to read your teaching philosophy and of the dedication you have to living it every day, connecting with each child you come into contact with. What an amazing reflection you give them about how it is possible to live life to its full potential, whilst meeting everyone as an equal and encouraging them to recognise and explore this. Thank you for sharing.
I have often thought that it is incredible that now that my daughter is at school, she spends more waking hours of her week most probably with her teacher than she does with me, her parent! Teachers do have such an important job and responsibility in our society and are largely undervalued by society. They are nurturing our future. It is fantastic to hear that some teachers are really starting to understand how to support children into becoming balanced and complete human beings and not just super computers!
‘They are nurturing our future’. What an amazing way to say this. I love it.
Great comment Andrew, I agree, teaching is a very undervalued profession. Teacher’s are entrusted with the emotional, mental and physical well being of our children for a large proportion of their lives from a very young age and they are nurturing our future. The current system places an enormous pressure on teachers to produce a particular set of results that all based on a child’s ability to accomplish and win. It is also extremely wise to focus on well being, nurturing, care and relationships. To hear of a teacher taking these qualities into the classroom is very uplifting and demonstrates just how much change we can bring into systems like this just by the way we live and care for ourselves.
Children have very sensitive antennae, they notice everything. We all have a responsibility as teachers to our young, whether they are our own offspring or not. Children learn from what they see and feel and lessons in school are just a small part of their learning. Thank you for your philosophy Johanna, it is an inspiration for us all.
So true Mary, education has made the learning/lesson aspect to be such a large thing in a child’s schooling and yet so much learning comes from naturally picking up an education, from who and what is happening around them.
Thanks Mary, this is so true. Something that happened today reminded me that the way we speak to one another and also about ourselves can be loving or very unloving. This applies to everyone of course, but from what you are saying I can feel how important it is to make sure we speak to children (and when there are children around) with love and respect in every situation.
With the pressures on the teaching profession and my experience as a child it is a real joy to read what would literally change the entire education system. What is even more inspiring is that you share how there is no trying needed, no extra program to add, simply the way you are first with yourself and then with the children, other teachers and parents. It would be great if your “Philosophy of teaching” was read by other teachers so they too can be reminded of the importance of caring for themselves and how that will support them in a system that is so focused on grades and paperwork.
Thank you Johanna for the best lesson ever -“Just be You. You are already Awesome.” Fantastic article bringing back to education what is truly important. What you have written should be at the foundation of all learning, all children deserve the best start in life and our current system are so obviously not working. You have insightfully shown us there is a true way in which children can learn, a way that holds them as the wise wonderful beings they so naturally are.
Johanna this is awesome. If only we could all have teachers like you! What a different place this world would be. You have raised something so important here in that your responsibility as a teacher goes beyond simply teaching information. The quality of life you lead is important too and contributes greatly to the education of the children. Children notice and feel everything. It is so important to reflect true loving qualities so that they can feel safe enough to grow and blossom in their own way. I’m sure all teachers would benefit from reading this as a way to lovingly support themselves in their job and as a way of supporting the children even more.
Rebecca, this is so true, “The quality of life you lead is important too and contributes greatly to the education of the children. Children notice and feel everything.” Imagine if we were taught this in training in any profession what a new level of responsibility we would all live to and how the quality of the way we work would shift.
Thank you for your amazing insights and wisdom on education, this point alone could transform children’s lives ‘choosing how they could BE as a grown up, without changing themselves to suit their boss, or putting on a different face for their family or compromising their true self in any way, shape or form… ‘ wow now that’s an amazing foundation. Thank you for your very inspiring work.
I love your teaching philosophy Johanna, thank you for sharing
It’s true that children spend as much time with their teachers as their parents…in some cases more. With this philosophy you are giving back potentially so much to the children you teach which will in turn give back to the parents and more. Your enthusiasm is lovely.
Definitely more time, because when you take out the time at extra curricular activities, the way parents are needing time to themselves because of something they may be feeling after their work day, time doing the household chores, sleeping time etc etc. It is definitely something quite big to consider.
I had a lovely teacher at school. I can remember her being so tender with me. I can also remember teachers who were not so tender and I enjoyed my lessons so much more with the teacher who was caring and tender with us.
This is so true Natalie. I remember very fondly the teachers who were gentle with me. I learnt a great deal from them and loved their lessons. In contrast the teachers who were not so gentle I found to be so scary and loud, and I spent my time in absolute terror! The beauty of this blog highlights how important it is for us to consider how the way that we live can affect others. This is the case in the home or the work place and no different in the classroom, and everyone especially children are so sensitive that they pick up on everything and are very easily affected.
Hi Natalie, Your comment reminded me of junior school and one particular teacher who used to really listen and communicate with me and I absolutely loved her classes. This lady, looking back, clearly loved children.
Johanna, thank you for your priceless article on your teaching philosophy. It lays out such a beautiful all-encompassing way to be with children while they are growing up and being educated. In fact the way you describe your key elements changes the meaning of education and redefines it as a way of allowing children to grow and unfold to their own understanding of themselves and the world, and to THEN develop the skills that will take them on to being their naturally awesome selves in that world.
Yes, this is a priceless article that redefines education. This is so needed in the world, you sum it up beautifully Rosanna.
Johanna if all children were taught in this way what absolutely amazing connected adults we could have on the earth. Thank you for your expression.
This is a truly inspirational read and I love your teaching philosophy, definitely one to revisit. What comes to light though is that so much that’s been expressed is applicable in all areas of life. Therefore how the teacher is is super important as this way of being is reflected and felt by the children so they can choose to work in this way as they grow up. Thank you, Johanna.
I agree Monica, a fabulous article by Johanna. This article should be in schools as an inspiration to all teachers to know how simple it is when they relate and meet the child for who they are and allow the wisdom within each individual to shine through.
and also how important it is for the teachers to meet themselves. There is no way any of us can really meet children, as Johanna has so beautifully described, without caring for and loving ourselves too.
That would be so cool. Teaching 101- Care, Quality and True Responsibility.
Start writing the 101 course Johanna and take it to your education departments. It is much needed.
Yes, Johanna, write 101 course and as Vanessa says, take it it to your education department. Fabulous article so clearly presenting true education.
Johanna Frederick, I absolutely loved reading every word you’ve written. It is so true: who can our children be if they are just met and encouraged and supported to just BE WHO THEY ARE. The children you work with are so blessed to have you in their life. Although I don’t work with children, as I was reading I reflected on the profession I work in and started to have a sense of: this is the quality I too can bring to my work. Seeing and meeting every colleague and every client as I would a child – meeting them with the same love, care and sensitivity. Thank you for the inspiration. It has brought a whole other purpose to why we go to wotk.
Thank you Shevon. I love your enthusiasm.
I was just sharing with a dear friend the other day how I love work. How I love to see and be with the kids, to know what is going on for them next and support them in what they need. I am excited to go to work. I wake up and I get ready with a love for those I work with and teach.
So you are totally correct, anyone in any profession can also feel this and have this as their purpose. How awesome for your clients and colleagues to be met in the care, love and grace you provide.
Amazing Johanna – I wish you were my teacher! I hope all teachers read this! having said that we are all teachers really, we all interact with lots of people who have not yet felt what you speak about – we all have the opportunity to do what you are doing, with each other…. beautiful
‘We are all teachers really’ – that is so true Rachael.
Nicely pointed out Rachel.
Very true, we are all teachers. The way we live each day with everyone around us is teaching something.
‘“Just be You. You are already Awesome. Now let’s give you the support and training in all subjects while you ascertain what you feel drawn to pursue and thus study further so you may eventually bring your awesomeness to the world, in the profession in which you choose to bring it.”’ Wow Johanna! I am a student myself, and at this present time am doing my first set of proper exams (GCSE’s) which will then be visible on my CV and the results determine what I can study in further education (e.g. A Levels, University). I can see a huge difference between what you write about assuring children that they are amazing first and foremost; then giving them encouragement to choose the learning style, subjects etc that THEY feel drawn to, instead of how many of my teachers (who in fairness simply have not been shown another way), pressure their students to achieve very very highly and do well in every subject, overwhelm them with the well over-exaggerated and intimidating ‘target grades’ that if students do not meet they may have to keep retaking the exams, which after then being mixed with the teachers themselves becoming stressed and tired, they then expect us to be able to choose a career path or profession based from all that confusion?
Thank you Susie.
I would have felt so supported as a child and a teenager if I was told that I am already everything and that this is just about giving you some techniques and skills so you can go onto sharing your awesomeness in the field you choose.
So Susie- You are Awesome and go for it in your exams knowing that your results are just that, results of recalling. You being you is the biggest treasure you can have.
So much pressure is put on us regarding exams but the reality is there are many different ways in life to actually get into the profession we want to be in.
Well said Susie. I am at the moment studying in University and it is again the same thing. It is about acquiring the techniques and knowledge but it is given to you in a way that that is all that matters. And like you said I understand why they do it that way, they haven’t learned any other way them selves! But my point is that there is so much more to be taught like how to take care of yourself, how to be yourself and most important know you are amazing no matter what you do.
Wow this is so cool and inspiring Johanna. Such a deep level of responsibility but I can also feel the joy you bring to all the children, teachers and parents as well. I see this lived philosophy is transferable to all elements of our lives and every career that exists.
I love the simplicity with which you have delivered something that could completely change education and give children the best possible start to life. I am going to give this blog to my friend who is looking to start a degree in early years learning, because she also can see the importance that the way children go through school can have on their whole lives. Thank you for sharing this, and thank you for the difference you are making in your school.
Wow this is amazing to read Johanna, I had tears in my eyes feeling how incredible it would be if teachers taught, “Just be You. You are already Awesome. Now let’s give you the support and training in all subjects while you ascertain what you feel drawn to pursue and thus study further so you may eventually bring your awesomeness to the world, in the profession in which you choose to bring it.”
Johanna, this is superb. It would be so awesome if we had a world full of teachers like yourself, the next generation would turn all the world issues on their head, but fortunately we do not need to wait for everyone we can start today with ourselves. It is awesome the work you are doing.
I agree Vanessa. Great point about us starting today with ourselves, in the knowing that we can make a difference by taking responsibility for ourselves and choosing to live in a more loving and understanding way with all.
I agree Vanessa, the biggest change can start small, one by one, until someday, every teacher will educate the way Johanna is presenting. What an amazing day that will be.
Wow, that is a long way from scoring points on ofsted charts!
Johanna, this is so obviously and beautifully true, all that you have said, yet politicians and those who devise the curriculum seem to lack the insight to support teachers in this way. How can we bring more attention to this way of being with children which is so important for us all if we want to bring change to the way children are pushed into the continual abusive ways that have been lived for many generations? I go into school to help 8 and 9 year olds read. I have found it to be a living and learning experience. I go in with the intention to respect the children for who they are, and learn through play. We do less reading and more talking! yet their reading and their joy in reading improves in leaps and bounds, and their understanding of the text deepens. The teacher has recognised this, and has told me I bring more depth to these children’s experience than any other helper, but does not know why or how. You have shown me it is time to share that with her. And so every little truth expressed will grow and spread.
Beautiful to read your experience of helping with reading in schools Joan, ‘I go in with the intention to respect the children for who they are, and learn through play.’ Amazing to see how if we connect to children and respect them for who they are then their reading and understanding improves naturally.
It’s very true Rebecca. It is a joy to read here all the testimonies from parents who are taking this way into the classroom and seeing incredible shifts in the children as a consequence.
I conduct research interviews with the parents of 2 and 3 year old children. At one stage the parents get to input their answers into the computer themselves and I have some stickers for the children to play with. These stickers don’t detach from the backing easily, so I help out.
It is such a delight to ask which sticker the children would like next. They always know, and it’s never the next one in line!
This is amazing Johanna. Your philosophy for teaching is required to be in every teaching manual and course. To meet the children, listen and appreciate them is truly beautiful and offers them the chance to blossom and grow.
Your mention of the responsibility to care for yourself also stood out as a huge area to be included within the teacher training process.
Thank you for sharing your profound article with us.
Thank you for your blog Johanna, there are some great points mentioned. If all the classes around the world were taught like this, life would be so different. There would be a genuine respect for each other and a willingness to truly engage with each other, without the guards we develop to keep us protected. What you are giving these children is a true gift.
Your philosophy is awesome Johanna and is reflected in your everyday classroom practice. I really admire your quality of looking at the whole child and all of their needs.
Thankyou for sharing.
Agreed Sharon
I enjoyed reading this article. A very profound philosophy for teaching. There is so much to learn from sharing time with young children. Children are not easily fooled and can feel who you are and easily sense when you are hiding behind a mask of trying to portray an image of how you wish to be seen. A teacher is a daily role model for the children and we all have enduring memories of our teachers and I still hold a lasting affection for those teachers I knew were showing me the truth of who they were while supporting me in learning to live in the world.
Wow Johanna. Your philosophy should be on the syllabus for every teacher required course everywhere. What an amazing world we live in, with people like you in it and the ripples in the pond you are creating.
Great comment Steve. It would transform a profession that is put under an enormous strain to pump out A grade students into a profession that teaches children how to care for themselves and ultimately one another. There is nothing more heart wrenching than seeing a child who is withdrawn and closed down due to feeling a failure at school. What Johanna offers us is the option to meet every child just for who they are first, not what they can do and support the child to know they are amazing regardless of their achievements. The teenagers I know who have been met in this way are confident, active kids who have a wisdom and maturity beyond their years, coupled with a great sense of fun. They have a lot to offer the world already and they are not even adults yet. There is much wisdom in Johanna’s philosophy we would do well to heed.
I agree Steve and Rowena, every teacher should start with the same basis and philosophy which Johanna has, essentially putting people first over results etc. – children respond so well to being truly met for who they are, and by doing this at a young age we give them permission to grow up as themselves not feeling they have to be a certain way to fit into the world.
Hear hear Steve, very well said,
Thank you Johanna, this is deeply inspiring as soon I am beginning a new placement with my local school as a class room assistant where my only role is to support the children. Your article has helped me to understand how important this job is, my huge responsibility to care for myself outside of school hours, the value of the children’s time spent with me, and how being playful is actually a part of the whole package – not something to be left outside the classroom because ‘now we are learning’. In the way you have described working with children I can see that honouring the natural playfulness that is already there is integral to children’s work and learning and I love that this helps them to actually feel met for who they are. What an incredible role model you are.
Johanna it is so amazing to read this, knowing that you are actively working with children everyday in such a consistent and sure footed manner. Your philosophy offers us a new future in the classroom, one where our primary concern is not that the child can read and write by the age of 5 (before their brains are neurologically prepared for such a task) but that the child develops their own self trust, self care and confidence first. I can feel just how solid, caring and loving your presence is in the classroom and that the children feel completely safe with you. And its true, once we are able to convey the purpose behind what we are learning it supports us to have a go, to open up and take a risk. When you are young, the simplest of tasks can seem like a big risk if you don’t feel properly supported and loved. What a blessing to the education system you are and thank you for sharing your philosophy.
I love this response Rowena, I agree it is key for children to develop their sense of self, of trust, care ,and confidence. And, yes, there has to be a purpose to what is being learnt, many children rightly want to know that what they are learning will be useful after school.
What glorious and true picture you paint, Johanna, of how teaching (and parenting) could, should and can be.Your article brings great clarity to how best to support the development of children. The 3 initial points you outline are fundamental and so simply said that they are easy to be understood and built upon.
Thank you for sharing Johanna, I know I would have loved to have had you as one of my teachers and also would love my (future) kids to be treated the way you treat the children in your classroom, by meeting and honouring them for who they truly are not what they achieve.
Hi Johanna, wow – what a fantastic article and a truly awesome philosophy! I can feel your love and dedication to not only the children that you teach but to humanity also. What an incredible contribution you make! You’re a true inspiration and a wonderful role model for your fellow teachers and children, and indeed us all! If these principles were felt and lived by everyone in the teaching profession what a difference this would make in the world! It’s enormous and would create a whole new foundation built on honouring people first and foremost. Your approach makes so much sense and is so fundamentally important to a child’s development, it really does beg the question – why are our schools not promoting these kind of ethics and practices in our schools as a matter of course?
Great question Heather! Thank you for your heartfelt appreciation.
Johanna, your Teaching Philosophy is brilliant! It deserves to be the first lesson for all aspiring teachers and a foundational document for education departments worldwide. Imagine what an amazing ripple effect (correction – Tsunami effect) would be achieved.
I must add that your Teaching Philosophy is not only for educators – it’s a precious document for all parents.
and for everywhere we go – in any job, at home, in all of our interactions. We can all be teachers beyond the classroom, just by the way that we are.
I’d love to come to your class Johanna, to feel the joyful inspiration you share.
What I can do is take this inspiration of true connection to all people with me into my day and work.
Thank you.
I love your philosophy beautifully expressed. I felt these are really important questions to ask as well
“How can I further support their knowing and being?”
“Am I doing anything that gets in the way of their natural way of being and learning?”
“Is my way of being, my classroom and conduct all about people first or task first?”
What I am finding is its really important to ask myself similar questions on a daily basis, working with young people really helps me to see this. To reflect at the end of the day and see how I could, or if I could, have done anything differently or better that supported them to be all that they are. Constant learning, thank you for sharing.
These are great additions Vicky. And considering what you have said, I can see the relevance of similar questions in other places of work, or in fact with all relationships. Thanks.
Johanna it was lovely to read about your teaching philosophy. As adults we can all remember that special teacher who we felt understood us and encouraged us from that understanding. ‘Just be you because you are already awesome.’ Imagine if that was what all educational institutions had as a foundation, together with your 3 simple key elements. That would be something.
That would be something indeed Debra!
I agree!
Deborah this would be life changing if we had been confirmed at school with ‘Just be you because you are already awesome!’4
If we all had someone who felt our awesomeness as a child and nourished that total awesomeness I have no doubt it would lay the foundations for many to blossom as adults who claimed their total awesomeness.
‘I feel that we have an opportunity as teachers to bring this to all areas of education.’ What jumped out at me when I read your blog, Johanna, was how pertinent and applicable your 3-element teaching philosophy is to working in business too, not solely for the realm of education. Indeed, those three elements are true pillars of any endeavour, any enterprise and even more simply, at the level of everyday interactions and relationships. You’ve given something here that benefits all.
Cathy I thought that too, how things could flow in offices if managers (and indeed everyone) brought to work the care and presence that Johanna brings to her classroom, and then used what Johanna said about engaging with eye contact, fully hearing and understanding, and allowing people the time to process information and develop in their own way, to interactions with team members. It is that last one, ‘allowing people time to process information in their own way’, that I have found to be most absent in offices, and which I am looking forward to giving particular attention to. I can feel the extent to which I did not allow this, and how different things could be if I did.
Yes, just having a teacher with eye contact and not just eye contact when they are in ‘teaching’ mode. That makes for a really nice teacher and from my experience, an unusual teacher.
That’s very true Cathy; Johanna’s amazing teaching approach can be applied not just in education, but for all professions and businesses.
Dear Johanna,
Thank you for your clear, loving and powerful reflection on your Teaching Philosophy. You have brought to the teaching profession a new marker of the qualities and understanding that go with the responsibility of being present with children and helping them navigate their way through the education system and setting a platform for their future life.
As I prepare myself to go into the classroom today I will be held and supported by the sharing you have offered to me as a teacher. I know that when I am in my essence throughout the day, the children respond as they feel met and are open to learning. I have found that children also are quick to give you feedback when you lose this, giving me an opportunity to step up and remember ‘people first, then tasks’. A beautiful blog, thank you.
Thank you Megan for your appreciation. How lucky are the kids in your class to be met with such care and connection. You are right- the kids respond beautifully to being met and connected to and they are the first to let you know when it’s not there too.
Johanna, thank-you from the depths of my heart for articulating a philosophy I’ve held dear since I too, began teaching. Having a philosophy used to be regarded as superfluous, something we had to do before we commenced our career but not really to be taken seriously or actually adhered to. Yet it is the true foundation that when brought with conscious awareness and indeed, presence, enables the true connections between the teacher and students. I love your Whoa! moment, too. As teachers we are ‘loco parentis’ – in place of parents and the responsibility of this is enormous and something I feel keenly to this day. As a high school teacher, this can mean you are teaching/parenting up to 150+ students and I’ve learnt never to underestimate the sphere of influence we have as we develop connections and relationships with each student’s family. It feels awesome to know that as my teaching career is winding up, there are inspiring and truly self-caring teachers stepping in. Learning is fun when we are allowed to just naturally be. That’s my Philosophy!
Thank you Peta. Your sharing is beautiful and I can feel how blessed your many students and students parents are to have you in their lives. These relationships are super important and it is awesome to hear and feel that many teachers around the world, just like you, are making people, love, connection and relationships their foundation to educate from.
Dear Johanna, I am blown away by your amazing blog and summary of what it means to be a true teacher. Your love for the children and everyone is very much felt, and your dedication to bringing that quality through day to day and meeting each and every one of them is really beautiful. It leaves me feeling that there is a more respectful and caring way of education well and truly on its way.
What Johanna has shared with us is a very real and tangible way that we can bring change to our systems – through how we are. We all know that something has to change and what Johanna has shared is the missing link.
Thank you Janet- There are an abundance of caring teachers out there. True change is well on its way.
Thank you Johanna for such a beautiful understanding of working with children, and indeed with anyone we meet.
Awesome read Johanna!
Thank you for what you bring to education and I can feel the impact this makes on the whole system let alone the lives of those you meet each day and how you connect with whom they truly are. What a gift.
I totally agree Bernadette. Let’s not underestimate the impact Johanna is making to the whole education system, not least to the lives of those children and whoever will come into contact with them hence forth.
Johanna I love this article, it is truly inspiring. What you write in your teaching philosophy and the way you are choosing to live in relationship to your role as a teacher can provide a perfect model for everyone in any area of life. The level of care, integrity and responsibility you offer your young students is a beautiful foundation for all relationships. And how perfect that you are blessing so many at an early stage of their life with what you offer.
Yes its so true Golnaz, it is a blessing to offer a child such a solid start in their life, educating them in all aspects of life, not just in one narrow remit. Building relationships is one of the most fundamental and essential areas of our lives and what better start can you have than having a teacher who teaches you how to do that everyday within the classroom. One can feel how every child receives that care and attention and is supported to truly grow.
Yes, I love the fact that children feel met from this quality that I choose to live in in their first stages of their education. It is a beautiful foundation for them.
Thank you Golnaz. I love these words you have chosen to use, ‘choosing to live in relationship with your role’. They can be applied to every person and to which every role they choose to partake in in life.
Wow, what you bring to the children who are blessed to have you as their teacher is truly amazing! I loved what you said about making it about people first and then tasks – all too often as a mother and at work, I think ‘if we can just get all the tasks out of the way, we can have time to spend with each other’. I now understand why this doesn’t work. I feel truly inspired by your livingness that you bring, not only to the children who you teach, but to all of humanity.
Yes Carmin! I totally understand. I have also felt this as a mother, we can get lost with all we have to do. Mothers like Teachers have a deep level of care. I have found that the ‘to do list’ or ‘looking after others’ at times has been put before me caring for myself and also me truly stopping to engage and and show true care to others. I now know that aside from the practical and obvious mothering duties I do – that my true job with my daughter is to meet her in the eyes. I have found that by stopping and meeting her in the eyes that we have amazing moments and conversations together. She is open and knows that I hold her with a deep level of care and respect. I also know that she then takes this level to the other environments she goes into.
Hi Carmin, just reading your comment this morning was actually exactly what I needed to read, it highlighted an area of the blog, about making everything about people rather than getting the tasks done and then having time to spend with people! This is what life is truly about – thanks.
I totally agree, Carmin. This is a very inspiring blog and applicable to whatever we do, whether it is as a mother, father or in the workplace. And if we make it about connection first and the tasks and goals second, then the latter just flows and gets easily done. Plus we are left with all the vitality and joy that Johanna exemplifies.
Thank you Carmin. This year at the moment, I get to visit many schools through relief work and I have to say I am loving bringing my quality, my light and wisdom to others.
This is a solid gold nugget of a blog. There is so much wisdom in what you present about teaching I can only imagine every teacher would be inspired by reading this.
I agree Stephen, this is a solid gold nugget of a blog, full of wisdom and inspiration.
Absolutely Stephen – and if any teachers were not inspired by this amazing blog one would have to ask why? So many in the teaching profession feel like they have given up, but with teachers like Johanna who are pure gold, there is the possibility of a new foundation for the education system being built.
Thank you. I agree Stephen. Every time I come back and visit this blog and read the comments I feel the same. It is full of wisdom. The more I deepen with me the more I appreciate just what I bring to teaching and have shared about teaching.
Johanna, this blog is truly beautiful and so inspiring to read. How different children are when fully met with the qualities you are bringing to the classroom and later how different as adults – not carrying protective shields to ward off the hurts experienced in childhood when not met.
I love this – “Just be You. You are already Awesome”. I have been saying something similar to our grandchildren whenever we see them and there is a glow that returns to their eyes.
There’s a glow that’s come to my eyes reading your comment about your grandchildren Stephanie. They are blessed to have you in their lives.
How amazing for your grandchildren Stephanie. I can feel how awesome that would feel for them.
Stephanie, what you have written about how you are with your grandchildren and how they respond feels gorgeous. I’m appreciating how wonderful it would be if this were common place between adults and children in all situations, families, schools, clubs etc. I used to feel that once we are all grown up we lose the cuteness of how we were when we were little but actually we don’t and I see we are just as adorable. When I interact with people from a just be you place people light up!
This is gorgeous Stephanie and Angela, “just be you. You are already awesome”. How amazing for a child to hear this and not have to prove anything, knowing that they are already enough.
That’s beautiful Stephanie!
Stephanie your words just make me shine from the inside out. Simply gorgeous.
This is gorgeous Stephanie. When a child is confirmed that they are already amazing is simply awesome and such a loving thing to do… there is nothing more a child would want in that moment.
Johanna, I wish every teacher could read your philosophy with it’s eye opening, heart opening potential.
I feel that this is truly what “the power of love” is all about.
As I read your words I can feel the profound difference in how you teach and how I, and most of us, experienced school.
I know that the chances a child would thrive and blossom into well rounded success would be huge if we could offer more of this kind of whole hearted and respectful interaction and role modeling.
I love that you ask us to imagine what they, as adults, would be like if children grew up “without changing themselves to suit their boss, or putting on a different face for their family or compromising their true self in any way, shape or form…”
I trust people would be non short of Amazing.
I agree Jo and Amina, to give our children the opportunity to grow up ‘without changing themselves to suit their boss, or putting on a different face for their family or compromising their true self in any way, shape or form…’ We can do this in the home and also through teachers like Johanna, who put the children first and who truly love and care for them. It only takes one person in each childs life to show them that it is ok and possible to be themselves for them to have the confidence to stay true to what they are feeling and not change to fit in with others around them.
I agree James, it just takes one person to show that child it is alright to be themselves and that what they feel is natural and ok. What a gift to give any child.
And this is also true of anyone Tim. I know for me it was the reflection of Serge Benhayon that inspired me through his quality. I always felt that I was already ok and an equal and this is something I returned to as an adult. That is pretty powerful in itself!
Great comments James and Tim; it depends on the child, but being supported and being given permission to be as a child is, is the best thing a small child can learn for their growth and ability to healthily contribute to the world.
I agree Jo, it is amazing that this kind of teaching is available – and although it has not always been my experience, I have had a few amazing teachers that really inspire me and meet me for me. It completely changes the way we learn and the way we grow and develop.
It would be amazing for everyone, the children would really love it and how amazing adults they would turn out to be.
Imagining what adult children will grow up to be is important for all who are involved in supporting children and also for the children themselves. Sometimes in my classes I ask the kids to tell me about adults they like, admire, enjoy being with and why ? I also ask them what kind of adult would they like to be and how can they be that now. This is beautiful because it also outs the responsibility on the child as well as the adults who support that little person.
This is true Jo. I know from the way I use tone in life that it is actually exhausting putting on a whole bunch of different faces to suit an array of different people and circumstances. I love the fact that I can just be me and express from my heart in my words and actions at home, at work, with friends and teach. This is always and will always be an unfolding and deepening but definitely a learning that I will never chose to not have.
Johanna, I taught many many years ago and recall at the time how natural it felt to connect and develop relationships with the children I was teaching, and so I can relate to many of the things that you have outlined as part of your teaching philosophy. However what I now realise was missing back then was the essential element in ‘taking responsbility for truly caring for myself’. Through the inspiring teachings of Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine, I am learning that self-care and the quality I live in is the basis for any true relationship (beginning with relationship with self)… I love how you have provided us the especially important reminder that we – whether educators, parents, or otherwise (and regardless of profession, age, gender etc.) – have the opportunity to encourage and inspire the children of our generation to live this same way.
Great points Angela, and it feels appropriate here to appreciate just how much we may also be inspiring people of all ages at a given moment…we just don’t know. But we do have the responsibility everyone does. it’s just how you choose to own that responsibility…Universal Medicine has always offered me a great reminder of this, and I truly relish this understanding.
I completely agree Phil, it puts into perspective how much responsibility we have, we never know when the moment we decide to act out, be irresponsible is the moment a child is watching, learning.
Spot on Rebecca. Teaching and learning is not just what we see at school, it is happening every moment of every day.
absolutely Rebecca and Vicky and we re responsible for not only our children or the ones we hold dear but for every child equally so.
As a song by Glorious Music says “we are all teachers in this world”
True Rebecca. Not only is a child watching and learning but the truth is that everything we do and the way we choose affects everyone- those around us and also society as a whole.
Rebecca, we are being watched all the time, there is no mement when a child is not watching us, they are so connected and can feel instantly and will pickup things in an instant
What a blessing for each child being taught in Johannas’ classroom. This builds in them a strong foundation to take into adulthood and pass onto the next generation. Sure, it begins with self-love and self-care first, but truly ‘meeting’ children and allowing them to express themselves in full is pure gold and should be encouraged.
What an inspiration you are Johanna.
I second that Sandra, how blessed are the students in Johanna’s class?! They will remember you Johanna as one of those teachers who saw them for who they truly are. What a gift you give every day!
Yes, I wish Johanna was my teacher. I would like to hear more about how the kids from her class develop in life in contrast to other pupils. Wouldn’t that be amazing to see in evidence.
Teachers like yourself and Johanna who connect with children are not all that common and to be deeply appreciated. But I agree with what you are saying Angela, that it is the care for self that makes the difference, otherwise who is doing the caring?
One of the most beautiful things to do with children is to build a relationship with them, and this has been my way in dentistry. They are not a set of teeth, but delicate people, and those first interactions set the pattern for their dental life from that point forward. Meeting them with openness and joy knowing who they are is the only way I have found.