"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." - Aristotle
Educational Philosophy
I placed great value on my role as a principal/teacher. My work as a teacher helped to keep me connected with the work day realities faced by students and teachers.
My favourite coffee mug (pictured here) was given to me by a student in the 1980’s. At that time I had believed she was "hard to reach," and so I was incredibly surprised and humbled when she gave me this gift at year's end. The sentiment expressed on the mug reflects my own feelings about the special nature of all students, and the value of those who are able to engage inquiring minds. |
The challenge of facilitating student learning is based upon relationships. I’ve sometimes advised students that “Schooling is not about what you know, but about who you become.” I wish I could say it was an original thought, but it’s some loose translation I picked up at a conference. None-the-less, I believe it’s a fundamental truth. The most critical aspect of student learning is fostering qualities of character. Regardless of ability or aptitude, students can come to form meaningful relationships with others in life, if they have established a foundation of good character and attended to their spiritual, social and emotional well-being. Of course greater fulfillment and enrichment – and contribution to society as a whole – comes from recognizing and trying to meet the challenge posed in the intellectual domain of their growth as well. Good teachers nurture this development. The uniqueness of each student illustrates the complexity of the challenge faced by skilled teachers. Good administrators in turn, facilitate the capacity of their teachers to foster that growth.
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