A Creed Worthy of my Dedication

Can education be inspirational? The teachers of our society can look upon themselves as heroes and heroines of vision, and they can, in turn, teach with inspiration and guide youth.

Education means more than teaching subjects. It involves working to support the personal evolution of each youth from a self centered, self involved child to a supportive and sharing member of a democratic community. It is the transformation of raw personality to skilled and tutored human being.

It involves the evolution of someone who is invested in gratification of personal needs to a unique and special person who has the poise, internal security and self mastery to help build and support the greater good. It is honoring each person for who and what he or she is as we support and structure the fulfillment and transcendence of self.

For me, this work is about honoring students. It is about believing in each person, not as I want to see him, or choose her to be, but to believe that a person belongs to self first and I can magnify and energy the journey by my presence as a teacher. For me, teaching is gratifying and it is also a burden.

Never, by a word, a remark, a misguided judgment, may I lessen or weaken my students. Instead, I honor them - and I teach the whole person -- recognizing the physical, emotional, philosophical, social and intellectual development that is a part of who we are as human beings. As much as I am able, I seek to instill a sense of self honor, of duty, respect, dignity. I hope to share a sense of wonder at all that I cannot grasp, a sense of hope, that each of us may become more than we are and a sense of faith, that human beings are worthy, intrinsically good, and incredibly complex.

This is what I bring to education. It guides me when I lose sight, when I feel stressed or overworked. It energizes my moments of frustration, and reminds me of the inherent respectfulness that must be a part of each interaction between myself and students.

My Creed Example

This is an opportunity for you to think about your creed.

What do you believe? What will guide you as you enter the classroom, and what will buoy you when you feel a sense of despair, or conflict assails you? A teacher, like a physician, is a professional. We do much more than work for a school system or take care of children. We have responsibility for preparing youth for tomorrow.

Please spend some time considering your creed. You should then go to the virtual conference center and enter your thoughts there. When you have your first classroom, consider posting your creed on your wall for all to see, and to remind and inspire you.

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Course Created by J'Anne Ellsworth & Center for Technology Enhanced Learning

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