My Educational Philosophies

As you might remember from last time one of my top five themes was that I am a maximizer. The definition that they used was “[they] focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into something superb” (CliftonStrengths). Personally when I look at the students and I don’t see who they are now rather the potential that they have within them. Some people say I have this tendency to be naive and think that the world is all good and I try too hard to propel students (or anyone that is close to me) in the direction that brings success and prosperity.
Don't get me wrong I have my moments where I am thinking "Is this even worth it? Am I even getting through?". The one thing that has been my anchor and draws me back in to push through is love. I never thought of myself as a lovey dovey person at all. I'm a tough love kind of gal. You know the kind to punch on the shoulder and gives a head nod to show "job well done". At least that was how I perceived myself. But let me tell you, God totally knocked that out of me. My family and I were on vacation and were staying at a family friend's house. I don't know how it happened but next thing I know we were all in the living room and we started praying together. Then wife then prayed over me saying words that were truths in my life. Talking about situations that she could not have known about. To end it she said something I will never forget, "Rachel, God you a mantel of Love. No matter how others may treat you, no matter what you're going through dust it off and put on that mantle of love that God gave you". When she told me that the first thing I thought was "God you got the wrong girl". But ever since that time those words have always been in my mind. Now what does that have to do with anything you might ask? Let me tell you. One of the philosophers that we read about was Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi. One of his theories was that children need Love. Without establishing that the teacher genuinely loves and cares for their students. Kids are interesting creatures, they can tell when people are being fake or sincere. Kids don't want a teacher who don't care about them or being fake.