What Makes Teaching Much More Than Just Teaching

‍y personal teaching experience 

I have been helping Maya, a 9-year-old worldschooling kid read and write for the last few weeks. Teaching Maya has been a truly unique and fulfilling experience for me. Instead of following a predetermined curriculum or focusing on random passages and stories, we co-create our own learning journey. 

Maya takes the lead, expressing her own ideas and desires for each session. In one of our sessions, she chose to write about her cat, using her imagination and her own words. It's amazing to witness the creativity and individuality of children like Maya.

Traditional classrooms often expect children to sit silently and follow along with what others are doing. However, Maya's spirit is so vibrant and free. She laughs, she screams, she asks riddles, and she engages with the learning process in her own unique way. I can only imagine how she might have struggled in a traditional classroom setting, where her natural curiosity and energy might have been stifled.

One memorable session we had was when Maya was traveling in the car. We practiced words while she treated me to breathtaking views of mountains and beautiful landscapes. It's incredible how the environment can enhance the learning experience, and Maya's enthusiasm made the journey even more enjoyable.

Teaching Maya has taught me that the key to effective teaching is truly knowing the child and being willing to submit to their individual needs and interests. Through our sessions, I have discovered a part of myself that I hadn't fully explored before. While I generally don't consider myself a teacher, this experience has been different, as it has allowed me to connect with Maya on a deeper level.

Recently, Maya came up with the idea of writing little happy notes for strangers. Together, we composed messages and discussed the power of positive affirmations. This activity not only nurtured Maya's writing skills but also instilled in her a sense of empathy and the joy of spreading positivity.

Our learning journey has expanded beyond physical boundaries, as we use WhatsApp to communicate and learn. Maya's global perspective and the wealth of knowledge she brings from her experiences enrich our sessions, and I'm constantly learning from her.

Teaching is so much more than the mere transmission of information. 

It is a profound art that involves building connections, actively listening, and co-creating with students. It encompasses the nurturing of minds, hearts, and spirits, fostering an environment where learning becomes a transformative and holistic experience.

Through genuine connections, teachers can establish a rapport with their students, creating a sense of trust and openness. By understanding their unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, educators can better tailor their approach to meet individual needs and ignite a genuine passion for learning.

This connection goes beyond the academic realm; it acknowledges the emotions, aspirations, and challenges that students bring with them.

Active listening plays a crucial role in this transformative process. It involves not just hearing the words spoken by students but truly understanding their thoughts, feelings, and needs. By listening attentively, teachers can identify the areas where students require support, guidance, or encouragement.

It allows for the discovery of hidden talents, interests, and potential, nurturing them to fruition.

The process of co-creation is another essential aspect of transformative teaching. It encourages collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. By involving students in the decision-making process, allowing them to shape their own learning experiences, and valuing their contributions, teachers empower students to take ownership of their education.

This active participation fosters a sense of agency, autonomy, and responsibility, which are vital for personal growth and transformation.

Teaching as an art encompasses the ability to adapt and tailor instructional strategies to the diverse learning styles, strengths, and challenges of each student. It requires creativity in designing engaging and meaningful activities that resonate with the individual interests and passions of learners.

It involves using a variety of tools, technologies, and resources to create dynamic and immersive learning experiences.

Furthermore, teaching is an opportunity for personal growth and learning for the educators themselves. Through the act of teaching, they discover new facets of their own capabilities, develop their skills as facilitators, and continuously refine their pedagogical approaches.

The teacher becomes both a guide and a learner, exploring new ideas, adapting to changing contexts, and evolving as an educator.

What Traditional Teaching May Deprive Teachers Of"

Traditional education often focuses on telling students what to do, grading them, and comparing them against standardized benchmarks. This approach tends to overlook the individuality and unique strengths of each learner, which can limit their potential for growth and transformation.

By placing all students under one standard, we risk disregarding their diverse learning styles, interests, and talents. This one-size-fits-all mentality can stifle creativity, hinder curiosity, and discourage independent thinking.

It fails to recognize that children have different ways of understanding and engaging with the world, and they learn best when their education is tailored to their individual needs.

The emphasis on grades and comparisons can create a culture of competition rather than collaboration. Instead of fostering a love for learning, students may become solely focused on achieving high marks or outperforming their peers.

This can lead to anxiety, stress, and a fear of failure, diminishing their intrinsic motivation and passion for learning.

To truly embrace transformative education, we need to shift away from this standardized and rigid approach. We must recognize and celebrate the uniqueness of each learner, valuing their individual strengths, interests, and aspirations.

This means adopting learner-centered approaches that empower students to actively participate in their own education, encouraging them to explore their passions, and promoting self-directed learning.

Assessment should also evolve to focus on growth, progress, and mastery rather than solely on grades. Emphasizing formative assessment, which provides feedback and supports learning, allows students to reflect on their progress, set goals, and develop a growth mindset.

This approach values the learning process rather than just the final outcome, fostering a love for learning and a desire for continuous improvement.

Embracing a collaborative and inclusive learning environment fosters cooperation, empathy, and respect among students. Encouraging peer-to-peer learning, group projects, and diverse perspectives helps students understand the value of teamwork, communication, and embracing differences.

This prepares them for the complexities of the real world, where collaboration and cooperation are often essential for success.

It is important to challenge the notion of learning as simply telling students what to do, grading them, and comparing them against standardized measures. Transformative education recognizes the unique potential of each learner, embraces learner-centered approaches, and values growth, collaboration, and individuality.

By shifting our focus to personalized learning, fostering intrinsic motivation, and celebrating diverse talents and strengths, we can create an educational environment that truly empowers students and prepares them for a fulfilling and successful future.