I am still learning–how to take joy in all the people I am, how to
use all my selves in the service of what I believe, how to accept
when I fail and rejoice when I succeed.
–Audre Lorde
Values play a pivotal role in the decision to engage in the field of education. Education is multifaceted, and the core values of educational leaders become evident in defining its essence. For me, these values invariably encompass social justice and advocacy. My driving force is to empower individuals to recognize that they possess agency in life’s decisions, with every moment presenting a teaching opportunity, even amidst adversity.
People bring experiential knowledge from life into any space, and it is essential that they utilize their prior experiences as a foundation to build upon their knowledge. Instead of adhering to traditional lecture-style teaching, I draw inspiration from Paulo Freire by incorporating cultural circles into the learning experiences. In this approach, individuals are active participants, and I serve as a facilitator of dialogue. It is crucial to me that my staff and students cultivate what Freire terms ‘critical consciousness,’ enabling them to question history and current social situations. In essence, they learn to decipher the world and make informed decisions, a lifelong skill central to the learning process.
My approach places a strong emphasis on the psychosocial well-being of my staff and students. I firmly believe that effective learning and a thriving environment are unattainable if they are not emotionally well. Employing a counselor educator approach, I serve as a model for my staff and students to help them grasp the significance of social justice and advocacy in effecting meaningful change. Identity development and achieving self-actualization are pivotal in effectively encouraging others, as guiding someone toward self-discovery, belief formation, and the path to self-actualization necessitates self-awareness. Life’s challenges are unique to each individual and must be approached as distinct situations, with the client’s unique circumstances at the forefront.
One of my primary objectives is to ensure that I am not solely imparting knowledge but actively demonstrating its application. I aim to ensure that the theories, strategies, and actions I impart to my staff and students align with my core values, enabling me to be authentic in all contexts.
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