Insight Session Present by: Elizabeth T Hutchison, Lead Specialist - Research and Development at St Philip's Teaching School , and LEAP Year Coordinator
Student Reflection by: Jonothan Lethbridge
What is my worldview and how or why does it impact or inform my teaching?
Most people do not sit and ponder what their worldview is and how it impacts their lives, let alone teachers, so why might it be important to?
What do these teachers have in common?
Teacher 1: Young Christian teacher who recently committed their life to the LORD, and yet has a minimally bible-based curriculum.
Teacher 2: A more experienced teacher after a few years with different Christian organisations, mission trips and bible college, providing an amazing Christian studies program, and yet a PDHPE curriculum with no biblical approach.
Teacher 3: A very experienced teacher, who has an active commitment to faith and church, with further study of biblical foundations for education, using a biblical lens for their teaching practice.
The answer is that it’s the same person. This is the projection of growth for a teacher that looks inward before looking outward, taking their worldview, and using it as a foundation.
So, what is worldview? And how can we use it?
Liz asked us to reflect on influences that have shaped our philosophy of education, based on our worldview. This helps us to make better connections; to understand our personal educational practice and the implications to our practice.
What’s the difference between worldview and philosophy?
Of course, it becomes confusing when assessing oneself, whether we are looking at our philosophy or our worldview, because of their symbiotic relationship.
Dr Char Meyers suggests that philosophy is “What we think… determines what we do”, or perhaps what we can call an ‘orientation of the mind’, whilst James. W. Sire calls Worldview an “Orientation of the heart”. A philosophy might be what we know, while worldview is what we believe. The thinking to the acting.
So why do you teach the way you do?
Was your practice: Caught, Taught, Sought, or Bought?
Do you model Christs walk to your students? Are you an educator committed to Christ, teaching a Christ-centred curriculum Christianly? Is it accessible for all, growing in their faith, pursuing the faith journey and are you teaching that the journey can be at different stages but encouraging living together accordingly?
Key Takeaways
What is my worldview?
Do I live it in my teaching practice?
How do I live it?
Is my teaching practice the way I want it to be?
How can I shape it?
Does it reflect my walk with Christ?
Is my curriculum Christ-centred?
Do I teach it Christianly?
How did my practice come about?
Do I love my teaching practice?
What are St Philip's Teaching School INSIGHT Sessions?
INSIGHT sessions at the St Philip's Teaching School are bespoke offerings that supplement regular lectures. Often delivered by members of the St Philip's Christian Education staff and our affiliate school community; these sessions address important topics and issues that teachers face today. INSIGHT sessions create a safe space for St Philip's Teaching School trainees to collaborate both online and in person.
