Educational Philosophy:
When Learning Meets Joy
Somehow, what can be one of the best human experiences has become dreadful. The natural curiosity of children gets suffocated by what we sometimes call education. How do we help turn the tide? If we believe that education still gives keys to brighter futures, how do we approach it? As we evaluate different educational opportunities and pedagogies, we must keep the following questions in mind: Is it helpful? Is it worth it? Does it promote joy?
First of all, education must be helpful. Education must help the learner. It should help quench the natural curiosity of children. It should facilitate finding answers to the questions that arise as they try to make sense of themselves and the world around them. It should help ease their burdens and work on the "muscles" that will help them thrive; whether they are cognitive, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual.
Secondly, it should be worth it. The educational activities that we provide for children must matter to them. Children should be able to see the value of what they are learning and how they are learning it. Sometimes, it takes a while for children to understand why we do what we do. Nevertheless, it's imperative that we navigate this process with them as well as be flexible enough to make changes when needed. I will never forget my experience as a new teacher trying to instruct a group of kindergarten students how to read. I was trying to follow the curriculum "to the t" while a precocious child kept asking "How long is this?" I later learned that he was able to read before enrolling in my class. Learning the sound of each letter AGAIN was not worth his time. He challenged me to think outside of the box. He helped me realized that each child craved learning something at the level that was just right for them.
Finally, it should promote joy. The educational experiences that children are engaged in should promote joy. This doesn't mean that we do not embrace productive struggle. However, our goal should be to help ignite a flame instead of putting out their fire. Once a child falls in love with learning, their opportunities for growth exponentially rise. In fact, they often become self-starters and take the wheels towards learning experiences that are best suited for them in and out of "the classroom."
Bilingual Education:
In a world full of walls and division, bilingual education helps build bridges of unity and hope across the globe. When learning a new language, each person humbly becomes a learner. These learning experiences often extend beyond language acquisition. They allow students to see and embrace others from a different lens. The result is often the attainment of new friendships and gratifying experiences.