Dear Olive Branch, March 2024

A P.E.A.C.E. Perspective on Practical Problems

Topic: How do you BE your most authentic self as an educator?

The query is complex; the query is multi-dimensional; the query is essential! How to start thinking about it? We created a Venn diagram with three overlapping circles labeled Identity, Talents, and Culture to be useful as a starting place, since the question is simple, yet potentially complex. It creates opportunities to explore yourself, your values, and even set goals. We especially love the opening query about passion… so do enjoy your explorations!

A Starting Point

• Identity: What are you passionate about? Delight in your sources of joy in living your values.
• Talents: What are your strengths? Use your skills, find resources, and create networks.
• Culture: What are your challenges? Use problem solving to be creative and responsive to the needs of people.

Getting to Your Authentic Self

Who are you? Journal about it. Here are some words to help get you started:

• Boundaries
• Values
• Beliefs
• Perspective
• Congruence
• Mindfulness
• Joy
• Observe
• Access
• Listen
• Accept
• Act
• Reflect
• Wonder
• Respect

Articulating Your Beliefs and Values

As part of our college’s ECE Program, the student teachers developed their personal philosophy of education. The process helped the students clarify and articulate their values and beliefs about education. The role of the educator was an important component of the statement.

The student teachers had placements in a wide variety of school districts; from large urban to small rural one school districts. The students were guided in looking at the practices demonstrated in the school sites where they were student teaching. They were advised to look for teaching positions in school districts that best matched their philosophy, looking for the best fit. Example one: If cooperation was more important to them than competition, then they should pick a school/district that supported cooperation. Example two: If they saw their role as a facilitator and guide, then they might not be comfortable in a school where teachers were instructed to promote conformity. Example three: If they believed children learn by doing, then they should not select a site where free will was discouraged and learning was seen as a product of the external environment. The goal was to have their first teaching position in a site where they could be their most authentic self.

— M. Shelton

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During an internship that I supervise, I have my students searching and deciding where they want to do their internship. They will need to make decisions about where they are going to go. What will work best for them? How does their choice fit into their future career plans? I shared this Olive Branch document with the students. One of the students wrote the following after having looked at the article (D. Saterlee):

“Who Is My Authentic Self?” After reading about The Olive Branch and thinking about your most authentic self and who you want to be as an educator, I realized I never actually thought about this before. So, I want to use this journal to think about some of my values and beliefs and how I think I would thrive as an educator. I would like to approach this using the three questions presented. First one being, “What are you passionate about?” Sports, softball in specific, is something I am very passionate about. It’s a sport I’ve been around my whole life and always seem to find myself coming back to it. I am especially involved and want to make a difference in the area of mental health, especially in young athletes. “What are my strengths?” I feel I am very compassionate and willing to have patience with all types of children. I feel if I had the time and ability to, I’d spend hours getting to know one child. I feel I am more comfortable in an outdoor setting getting to run around and do activities with children and just getting them to be active. “What are your challenges?” I think when in a classroom setting, I struggle to get children to refocus. I don’t have experience other than observing transitions, singing songs as attention grabbers, I feel I hesitate in these situations and get nervous to raise my voice at the little ones. I feel my experiences up till now made me realize that a preschool environment isn’t an age group I feel I’d thrive in. Overall, I think my experiences and passions have led me to really consider a career in coaching softball and helping young female athletes grow healthily physically and mentally. I also really want to help combat burnout in athletes and help to keep young players involved in the game longer and realize the great opportunities sports will bring. (M. Abiley)

NOTE: We chose “Dear Olive Branch” as the title for this column for several reasons — foremost as a sign of peace. Also, olives come in many colors, sizes, tastes, uses — a sign of diversity just as there are many types of questions and those who send the questions. We hope “Olive’s” responses will help you, the reader. If you have a question for Olive use our contact form.