I as Christian believe that God is the one who has sent me into this world with a specific mission. As a Jesuit I am a missionary, would be priest, prophet and a teacher. “We teach who we are,” (Palmer). I agree with this statement. I have experienced in my own life that often directly or indirectly I have projected myself to my students. The values like sincerity, cooperation, discipline, generosity, hard work, are my own projections to my students. As someone has said that “We can give only what we have,” so it is true in our teaching activity as well. The richness of treasures that we have within ourselves is dispensed when we willingly and readily share that with others especially with our students. Socrates has said, “Know thyself.” It is very important that we know our strengths and weaknesses before we impart our knowledge to others so that we may be able to bring in transformations in our students and in the society at large.
“Encounter with mentors and subjects can awaken a sense of self and yield clues to who we are. Any authentic call ultimately comes from the voice of the teacher within, the voice that invites me to honor the nature of my true self,” (Palmer, P. 29). Vocation is a call by God Himself. We need to nurture it as we go along in our life journey. We often realize what we are called to be in our life and accordingly we work in order to achieve that purpose. When we are able to see the longing of our inner heart (the teacher within), it becomes easier for us to discern what type of mission we are sent to accomplish. I think we need to be attuned to the Calling of the Spirit in our heart.
Bipin I really enjoyed reading your thoughts. I liked how you brought up how Palmer wrote "you teach who you are" It is so true. Students look up to their teachers for guidance. Our actions can speak much louder than our words. How we teach reflects who we are. It is so important that we know are strengths and weakness before we impose them on those who we are lucky enough to teach. I loved that you said the richness of treasures that we have are dispensed when we are willing to share them. That was such a nice description and way of explaining all our great aspects that we have within ourselves to teach and share with those around us.
ReplyDeleteBipin,it is true that we can give what we have and also we can teach what we are.I do believe "being a teacher" is more important than "having many techniques." I feel the great importance to become attuned with the teacher within in order to assert our right as teachers or educators. Being catholic educators, I believe that our spirituality will enable us to get attuned with the teacher within us.
ReplyDeleteLike Maureen, I am glad you brought up teaching who we are, and then you unpacked the who we are by citing those qualities you project onto the students. Those qualities are really the hidden curriculum that school is about. The various subjects, in my opinion, are a forum through which we can inculcate those values you mentioned. They really cannot be taught as such by themselves; they need to attach themselves to something else. Sincerity, hard work, generosity, discipline, and hard work are the real tools that will help our students succeed in life.
ReplyDeleteBipin,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right that we need to nurture our calling as we go through life. Knowing that this calling comes from God sets us in the right direction with Him as our companion. Keeping this in mind and taking the time to reflect and ask God for guidance will strengthen our response to His call. Also, keeping our hearts full of gratitude and prayer we will never get lost along the way!
Blessed be God!
ReplyDeleteDear Bipin,
You said, "The values like sincerity, cooperation, discipline, generosity, hard work, are my own projections to my students. As someone has said that we can give only what we have." I agree with you! You can not give what you do not have, you can not inspire others to live and believe what you do not live, you can not efficiently transmit something to anyone if you do not love it yourself.
I think that the most important piece that is given to our students is not the virtues and qualities we have as teachers, but what we really are inside. It is a part of our souls, and the students know it and appreciate it.
God bless!