Teaching Philosophy: The Holistic Approach Just Makes Sense
When considering which quote I wanted to reflect my teaching philosophy, I had a few ideas in mind to address how learning can only be accomplished when a child’s whole being is cared for. However, during my search I found the quote by Jiddu Krishnamurti (1981):
“Life cannot be made to conform to a system, it cannot be forced into a framework, however nobly conceived; and a mind that has merely been trained in factual knowledge is incapable of meeting life with its variety, its subtlety, its depths and great heights. When we train our children according to a system of thought or a particular discipline, when we teach them to think within departmental divisions, we prevent them from growing into integrated men and women, and therefore they are incapable of thinking intelligently, which is to meet life as a whole.”
Krishnamurti, J.
I chose this quote because it speaks volumes to the importance of helping students achieve the wellness of their entire being in order to be successful in school and in life. I resonate with this deeply because of personal experience. Explicitly, as someone who struggled with outside factors in school due to being in the foster care system, I can understand how difficult it is to focus on/retain information when your emotional/mental well-being is struggling. Therefore, I would argue that a teacher who doesn’t intentionally support the emotional/mental/spiritual well-being of a student will not successfully teach them. With this in mind, I want my decisions, reactions, and understandings as a teacher to stem from the holistic approach. Since the holistic approach to learning encourages the health of a person’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being, I believe this will benefit the learner to be in a better state of mind for learning.
One of the ways that I will incorporate this philosophy into my own practice is by including activities that focus on emotional and spiritual growth, including meditation and place-based lessons. I envision a special space in my classroom where students can take a moment to pause and reflect on what they may need in a heightened moment of emotion. Furthermore, I believe in building strong connections between students and their peers, as well as students and their teachers. Overall, I would take the time in my classroom to do relationship-building activities and many activities which target the overall health of each student to hopefully ensure their success in life and in their learning.
Krishnamurti, J. (1981). Education and the significance of life J. Krishnamurti. Harper.