salesians of Don Bosco: Apostles of the Young

My Educational Philosophy

Influence

Each person is the outcome of his past. He/she is influenced by people, the environment and other situations. It can have either bad or good repercussions. Accordingly he/she arrives at his/her view about life and ways of looking at reality. My drawing up of educational philosophy rests very much on the following influences. First and foremost the credit goes to my parents who love me, care for me, and accept me as I am. They have taught me the values of life. My fifteen years of stay at home was marked by my parents trust on me and they gave me freedom to choose my life. Life is not always the bed of roses. There were times when I was out of house without informing my parents. When I was back, I was reprimanded for my act but at the same time accepted by my sisters who loved me and gave me advice not to do the same again.

Secondly, during my stay at the aspirantate, I encountered a missionary who appeared fabulous and something that I was so attracted of him when he was talking to us. His manner and the way he went about inspired me. Though he was for short while but he left an indelible mark in my life. With his speech he could attract many. He too appeared very gentle, loving, understanding, and humble in his appraoch.

Lastly, due to my experience over the years. In all these years I was given a freedom to do what ever I wanted. My parents and superiors respected my freedom and allowed me to grow. Even when I misused the freedom which they provided me because of my carelessness, I was never punished or even when I was scholded I was made to understand my mistake. In all these cases I was understood and accepted. In which ever stage of formation I was in, I always experienced such human qualities of acceptance, forgiveness and love given to me by my friends and the members of the staff.

Human journey towards perfection is not possible alone. It is always in relation to some body, somebody who can direct your life, can become the guiding star of your life especially when you need the help most. Over these years I was helped and guided by the members of authority. They all saw my capabilities, made me realize, and encouraged me to grow and mature.

Hence my educational philosophy is backed up very much by my experieces over the past years. My parents, brothers, sisters, friends and superiors played a pivotal role in it. My educational philosophy is very much based on acceptance.

My view of Human Nature

Human being is essentially and basically good by nature. He/she is bestowed upon with lots of potentialities to grow and flower in his/her life. The other person or the educator has to support him/her to discover those potentialities.

Human person too is unique. He/she possesses both negative and positive qualities which make him special. Becoming aware of his/her own incapability, he strives for something higher. His/her incapability become the stepping stones for better and reformed life. Human person got to appreciate his strengths and accept his weakness and grow as integrated person.

The individual is basically free. The person grows when his/her freedom is respected. Especially the young people feel out of place, insecure, and threatened when their freedom is curtailed. They begin to behave or act in such a way which is not compatible with the norms of the society. Hence they should be taught to act with responsibility in freedom.

In my encounter with youngsters, has taught me that they long to extend their relationship with others. They go to the extent of risking in building relationship. Most of the young people tend to judge. I believe, relationship is not one way process but it is reciprocal, it is always between two persons. I understand relationship in this manner.

The above mentioned chart explains that the human persons live in the world environment. In relationship with the other person, the ‘I’ looses something of himself/herself because of the other. And this loss is always of something loss of time, energy, likes, dislikes etc. Both the individuals loose something of each other. This relationship is always in relation to the world.

Emotion does play a pivotal role in the human person. It makes him/her a unique individual. It is true that not all have same and equal percentage of emotion. According to the gravity of the emotion the person is characterized. Emotion does play an important role in relation.

Why do young people get distressed or get into problems?

The young people get into problems or get distressed due to following reasons:

First and foremost when the young people are not accepted, or not understood by others, they get distressed.

Secondly when the expectations of theirs are not met they get distressed. Sometimes the young people like to please others in their performance. When they are not able to please because of their failure they are frustrated.

Thirdly the young people like to venture out new things. More often it is done without making any pre-judgment about it. Hence they fall into the problem which they did not expect or foresee.

Fourthly when the ideas of young people are not considered, when their initiatives are questioned and criticized and when their freedom is curtailed without reason.

Lastly the problem among the young people starts due to lack of dialogue. It is also due to much work that they undertake.

When do young people get well or grow?

Carl Roger was of the opinion that the human person is basically good and endowed with lot of capabilities. I too am of the same opinion and believe that the young people grow not when they are imposed or totally let free, but when they are given freedom to decide, choose and act. They need not be imposed but little pat on the back or guidance enlightens them.

We need to keep in mind that to err is human. What is the aftermath reaction of the error that the young people commit? Young people’s growing very much depends upon the aftermath reaction. Little encouragement for the mistake done, or accepting the person no matter what ever the fault committed. The following points necessary for growth:

Environment may play an important factor for growth. But it is not all in all. Even in the worst of situation can be best of place to grow. It depends upon each individual’s mind set as John Milton says in Paradise Lost, “Mind is in its own place, it can make heaven a hell, hell a heaven.” When the person has realized himself and the environment and integrated his/her life with the environment then the person is considered to have grown.

What is fully functioning person?

A fully functioning person is one who is ready to accept himself/herself with all his/her strength and weaknesses. When the person is able to see things in a positive manner and takes responsibility for all that he/she does, then he can be considered as fully functioning person.

Relationship between educator and youth

I believe in the relationship that is trustworthy and reciprocal. Both the subject and the object are equally responsible and important in the relationship. The subject should be able to generate trust in his dealings with the individual and the individual also need to be open to the trust and should be able to recognize it. The relation between the both should also be that of friendly nature. The roles of the educator and the youth are given below.

How would you proceed in educating/helping/mentoring?

In my educational process I would like to follow the friendly approach. First of all to accept the students as they are with their negative and positive qualities. It should be a non-judgmental approach. Once the judgmental approach is instigated the student or the formee looses his/her trust in the educator.

Another method I would follow is that of collaboration. It is in help of each other that we grow. It would also be directional method. Today the young people want to be directed and guided. The young people too look of model to follow. Hence it is to be star among them so that they can follow.

Here we may ask the question the change is for the educator or the students. I believe the change should take place from within and from both the side. First of all the change should emerge from the educator. So that he can become the model for others to follow and change.

Techniques to be employed

In my dealings with young people I follow varied methods or techniques. First of all I observe the young people. It is not because to find out what is missing in them or what is wrong with them but it is much more than. It is to know each of them a little more. It is not to avoid them but to accept them for what they are. My approach to them would be that of friendly nature give attention to everybody equally.

Another technique I would follow and which I follow is the technique of “close an eye.” It is not to overlook their bad deeds but to make them realize that they have done something wrong. To my surprise this method has worked wonderfully.

To find meaning in life is the desire of all. And as an educator to give meaning to other people is essential. People come to you to find meaning in life. Hence through our love, we can enable our beloved to develop meaning and we develop meaning. The educator through his love enables the educand to develop meaning in life.

An effective teacher is one who gets involve in the life of the students. as the teacher gets involved with the life of the students he supports and encourages with the Educand. He also makes the Educand realize his own dreams and helps the student to strive for the achievement of such dream.

Lastly as the faithful servant of God I would like to give spiritual dimension to my educational philosophy. I would pray for my students so that God may assist them to be good human being and better citizens.

Finally I cannot but thank Rev Fr Edison Fernandes for his guidance in coming to my educational philosophy. I am really edified by the course and this has helped me to give a focus and direction to my future ministry. I am also grateful all those people who have been influenced in helping me to arrive at an educational philosophy of my own.