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
757 Comments
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.
Agreed. However sometimes my students need to need to be pulled up which they can resist by avoiding taking responsibility for their choices. Instead they have preferred to blame and complain they are not being met. Not so, so it is important that in all facets of life they feel of equal value so that they learn from very young just how important it is to be self aware and responsible. They can’t do this if they are made to feel lesser in the first place.
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. I would say with this philosophy you are at the same level as parents should be. Supporting children in this world to get around, treating them as full equals.
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.