Looking Back, Moving Forward

She was Ms. Kathy, a teacher like no other. There were two things about her that I often remember, positivity and open mindedness. Ms. Kathy would remain focused even when it was evident that she was in distress, upset, or annoyed. She would always tell us that ‘in the end, there will always be a solution.’ And yes, we took note of her positivity and endeavored to apply it in out studies, and personal lives. She made us see the other side of the coin and this helped us avoid having negative energies and unnecessary emotional backlog over small issues. Being open minded is something else that I learnt from the teacher. She used to teach us not to settle to the standards set by any facet of the society, be it politicians, philosophers, religion, economists or whoever. This was especially so, when it came to our beliefs about the future. She would not be forced to think along religious or cultural lines. She would not allow dogmatism or whatever kind of indoctrination to cloud our thinking. These two qualities are more than the biology she taught. 

Ms. Kathy has shaped my life in diverse ways. I always remember her with nostalgia. She made me come to terms with the fact that life mustn’t always turn out to be what I expected. For sure, this has happened to me countless times. Every time it happens I draw from the lessons Ms. Kathy taught me. Being positive and focusing on the other side of the coin. Every time am discouraged by an issue or a scenario, I endeavor to look for the silver lining in it rather than drench myself in toxicity of being served wrong. Using her principle of positivity, I have managed to remain steadfast in my relationships with other people as well as with my ambitions and aspirations. I always believe there is a way out even if takes longer than expected. 

Educational Concept of Growth

Education is deeply entrenched on the concept of growth. This cause has demonstrated that education should be developed bearing in mind that it should help a child in growth and development of abilities, skills, knowledge, habits, and attitudes as explained in Dewey’s concept as explored by Caldwell (2012). As an educator, I will use this concept to develop my skills to grow my students in different facets. As a person, I will also endeavor to grow and as such, get better with time. The concept of growth is what enhances efficiency at a personal level and as such, I will evaluate my execution of activities and performance with emphasis on growth. The same should also go for my students who I will like to have skills, abilities, attitudes and habits that are consistent with their age and development. As such, I would like to develop the various aspects of a learner that will support their growth and development, both mentally and emotionally. I only consider my mission, as it pertains any learner complete when they are able embrace change and adopt to it. Change comes in different ways, and growing up is one of them. When a learner exhibits development of skills and abilities that is consistent with their age, I consider myself successful. I have learnt how to grow and thus make my learners grow too. 

ReferenceCaldwell, E. A. (2012). Embodiment and agency: The concept of growth in John Dewey’s philosophy of education (Doctoral dissertation, University of Oregon).