This Is My Philosophy of Education

Ephesians 4

“It was He who gave some to be… teachers…” (vs. 11)

Teaching is more than a mere profession or job. Teaching involves our all. Also, teaching is a calling and this specific calling does not include everyone. There are different callings and gifts; teaching is one of them. Who is the One that has given us this calling? It was God himself. Because of the One who has called us, this is not to be taken lightly. If we are called to teach, we have no other way around: we need to be obedient. God is faithful to those who He calls. If we are not called to teach, this is very important as well because we need to be honest with ourselves and seek to be where our deepest passions and the deepest needs of the world meet.

“…to prepare God’s people for works of service…” (vs. 12)

The role of the teacher is embedded in service. The dictionary defines the word embedded as something that is “ingrained” or is an “essential characteristic” of something. Anything and everything that the teacher does should be out of a deep desire to serve the students, family, and community. The role of the teacher is to be ready for the students. “Being ready” can mean different things depending on the context. Despite of the context, the role of the teacher is to facilitate learning, to be part of the building bridge in the students’ construction project of life, to be the inspirer, the one who will always believe and encourage, and the one who will stand up and speak for those whose voices are silent. The teacher is the one that will see a bright future in each one of the students and with a humble and servant heart will point it out to them. 

“…so that the body of Christ may be built up…” (vs. 12)

Curriculum involves the programs of study but also the culture of the school. Although not always mentioned, curriculum also refers to the under culture, what lays beyond what is written. The view of curriculum must include diverse students. The planning and ideas should create a space for dialogue with people of different races, cultures, backgrounds, ideas, languages, and religions. The curriculum should be an “open-ended” one, meaning that it allows students, teachers, and people from the community to be part of it, to modify it as needed, and to serve the needs of the people. Curriculum is a guideline, a course to follow. The ultimate purpose is to build up the body, preparing each person to contribute to society and to always grow. This curriculum needs to include and allow diversity. It celebrates the differences and seeks to encourage and help the students in their needs.

“…until we all reach unity…” (vs. 13)

The identities and backgrounds of the students make a difference in how the curriculum is taught. The teacher needs to be sensitive to listen to what students are saying. The purpose of this is to reach unity among everyone. This is a Christian perspective and it seeks to bring shalom. If the students learn differently than what the teacher thought or planned, then changes need to be made. It is important to be careful to not fall into pluralism which will encourage students to practice anything they want and this would be OK. Diversity is something that is given to us, but pluralism is something we can decide to practice or not. The desire for unity recognizes diversity but does not allow all kinds of pluralistic views to be one. This is not a real unity as a body of Christ. Despite of this, the teacher is changed by the students’ views and perspectives. At the same time the teacher greatly influences in the students.

“…and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (vs. 13)

Both students and teachers need to be made whole again. This is why Christ died for us: to make us holy, which means to make us whole. The teacher’s view of the students should come out of this reasoning. Students will be broken, but they are meant to be whole. Every student is loved by Christ and is part of His creation. The student needs to be treated with respect and sympathy (even when this is extremely difficult). Any student can learn and deserves to access the doors of an excellent education. There are no better or worse students than others, but there are students that have understood their role better and because of that they are on track with their duties and expectations. This does not mean that some students should be excused for their lack of responsibility. This means that the teacher sees every student as a capable human being who is ready to learn. Of course, many times the students may have certain disabilities in their bodies or minds that will not allow them to do everything they would like to do. They, too, should be seen as capable of shining in the classroom.

“Instead, speaking the truth in love…” (vs. 15)

Earlier I mentioned that the role of the teacher is embedded in service. I would also like to add that teachers are expected to speak the truth in love. Although teachers need to encourage, they are also truth-tellers. Truth is not always easy to communicate and that is why the truth is needed to be said out of love. Both of these come together. The only way of achieving this is with God’s help and guidance.

“From Him [Jesus] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does it work” (vs. 16)

I believe diverse students learn by working together. I do not think that one person can achieve it all alone. The whole body (this can mean whole as holy and whole as everyone) is supposed to be joined to Jesus and be held together with each other. This is the way they can grow and be built up. Every part is supposed to do its work. This means that each student has something to contribute that no one else could. We are meant to work together. I hope that this will be played in our classrooms by allowing students to contribute and help set the tone of the classroom. I hope each student will feel welcomed and desired. I hope each student will feel valued and very much appreciated. This cannot be emphasized enough: the students need to feel worth and wanted in the classroom in order to reach their WHOLE potential.  

It is difficult to state all I want to say in one short paper like this. I wholeheartedly desire to be an agent of change wherever God puts me. I believe that God has called me to be a teacher and I feel honored to have such a high calling. I also know that without God’s guidance I would not be able to teach. He is my light and therefore I believe that I can shine for Him. I am ready now.