Philosophy of catholic education
From the time I was a young child (see photo on left), I had the spirit of a teacher. I believe that God has blessed me with gifts–I choose to praise Him by applying these gifts in my ministry as a teacher.Likewise, I believe each learner has been created in God’s image with special gifts. I am a believer in guiding children to develop their God-given strengths. I believe this can be supported in a student-centered environment through the utilization of multiple intelligences, differentiated instruction, learning styles, and adaptations. God says, “You are my Son [daughter], the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Mark I, II). A Catholic school setting is where I can strive to guide children to believe in themselves through these empowering words.
I believe that one of the central cruxes of delivering formal education is to lead students to experience success and significance. In my teaching experience, I have witnessed the power that success and significance can have on youth. Jesus is successful and significant in how He has touched the lives of people in the generations following His earthly ministry, by moving them to a greater faith relationship and trust in God. He did this through his life, his death, and his resurrection. As his humble servant, I can follow His example and ask for the Lord’s grace to become successful and significant in the lives of my students.
I believe that Catholic schools are unique in the sense that they teach the whole child. Although I share a “core” curriculum with all schools in the province by developing students’ academic, social, emotional, and physical potential, I have the amazing opportunity to permeate a Catholic worldview throughout the entire core curriculum, thus guiding students in their spiritual development as well. As the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association states, “Faith is always more than a course to us, more than a part of the curriculum. It permeates all the school, all of life, and all that is undertaken and lived in Catholic education.”
I believe that learning is a life-long experience. I recognize the power inherent in my ministry as a teacher, and I continuously strive to be an positive model in encouraging young minds to continue experiencing the world around them by being life-long learners.
Finally, while I acknowledge the word “Catholic” as a noun, which denotes who I am, I believe that the word “Catholic” is more appropriately viewed as verb which represents an active and conscious faith witness. This is what I hope to be for the students entrusted to my care.
Every teacher influences his/her students–if I am significant in how I influence my students in a way that makes them better individuals, better citizens, and better people of God, I will leave a legacy for generations to come. That’s ultimately what I want. As Henry Adams once said, “A teacher affects eternity: He/she can never tell where his/her influence stops.”
I believe that one of the central cruxes of delivering formal education is to lead students to experience success and significance. In my teaching experience, I have witnessed the power that success and significance can have on youth. Jesus is successful and significant in how He has touched the lives of people in the generations following His earthly ministry, by moving them to a greater faith relationship and trust in God. He did this through his life, his death, and his resurrection. As his humble servant, I can follow His example and ask for the Lord’s grace to become successful and significant in the lives of my students.
I believe that Catholic schools are unique in the sense that they teach the whole child. Although I share a “core” curriculum with all schools in the province by developing students’ academic, social, emotional, and physical potential, I have the amazing opportunity to permeate a Catholic worldview throughout the entire core curriculum, thus guiding students in their spiritual development as well. As the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association states, “Faith is always more than a course to us, more than a part of the curriculum. It permeates all the school, all of life, and all that is undertaken and lived in Catholic education.”
I believe that learning is a life-long experience. I recognize the power inherent in my ministry as a teacher, and I continuously strive to be an positive model in encouraging young minds to continue experiencing the world around them by being life-long learners.
Finally, while I acknowledge the word “Catholic” as a noun, which denotes who I am, I believe that the word “Catholic” is more appropriately viewed as verb which represents an active and conscious faith witness. This is what I hope to be for the students entrusted to my care.
Every teacher influences his/her students–if I am significant in how I influence my students in a way that makes them better individuals, better citizens, and better people of God, I will leave a legacy for generations to come. That’s ultimately what I want. As Henry Adams once said, “A teacher affects eternity: He/she can never tell where his/her influence stops.”