ERIC Number: EJ1121942
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2382-0349
EISSN: N/A
Spirit-Aware Teacher and Learner: Relational Connectedness in Teaching and Learning
Gibbs, Colin
Teachers and Curriculum, v8 p59-64 2005
The power of education is in its potential transformative effects on individuals. Many writers suggest that the prime task of the teachers is to awaken joy and wonderment through creative expression and in the quest for understanding. If education is to be a liberating experience then its central concern must be on the holistic nature of teachers and students creating and nurturing meaningful relational connections with self, others, place, and their world. This transcends the physical, intellectual, and social, and engages the spiritual--the spirit and soul of teachers and students. Teachers are instrumental in enabling students to experience such engagement. This paper explores teachers and the curriculum, relational connectedness, and what it means to be a spirit-aware teacher teaching for spirit-aware learners. Given these comments, some reflections are made on the preparation of teachers.
Descriptors: Teacher Student Relationship, Social Psychology, Spiritual Development, Teaching Methods, Learning Strategies, Classroom Environment, Classroom Techniques, Teacher Education, Interpersonal Competence
Wilf Malcolm Institute for Educational Research. Faculty of Education, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand. Tel: +64-7-858-5171; Fax: +64-7-838-4712; e-mail: wmier@waikato.ac.nz; Web site: http://tandc.ac.nz/tandc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A