My Education Philosophy

 

         Overall, as an educator, my philosophy is aligned with the Dalai Lama and also with Aristotle.  I believe educators must educate both the heart and mind of their students. If students learn to develop social-emotional competencies in school, they can not only have an optimistic outlook in life, handle adverse situations effectively, and be successful within their school, community and society; they may also develop innate, intrinsic motivation to make a positive change within society by contributing to it positively and helping those in need. Teaching can allow educators to positively contribute towards society and make a difference within society. Peace, acceptance, and kindness may be achieved within society through children developing social-emotional competencies within school. In fact, students who “interact in socially skilled and respectful ways, practice safe and healthy behaviours, contribute to ethically and responsibly to their peer group, family, school and community [have] competencies for engaged citizenship” (Jennings & Greenberg 2008).The Dalai Lama Center for Peace education  focuses on various domains that educators may focus on while teaching their students. The center focuses on five areas of heart-mind education which are shown below (Dalai Lama ):