The Future of Education

This essay arises from a basic premise: in order for students of any age or level to truly learn, it is vital for their teacher to possess genuine leadership skills. For leadership has become more and more relevant in today’s demanding ever-changing teaching environment, one where teachers are forced to adapt continually. This is why it is vital for teachers to nurture these skills. But how? This study has come into being after focusing on the following considerations:  Today’s teaching environment is both complex and in constant flux;

 The best ‘knowledge’ teachers can pass on is one that also raises awareness:

 Teachers are called on to nurture their students in order for true development to occur in the class. In order to meet these challenges teachers must possess their own inner strength as well the ability to effectively ‘nurture’ themselves as well, this can be reinforced via a process of empowerment that can also make it possible to re-discover a new sense of lightness. This type of awareness has been much used in other types of organisations (for example in the business world), however in Italy it has only had a marginal impact in the world of Teaching and Education.

This study will examine various theories and techniques and drawing conclusions as to the most effect methods available, offering teachers a valuable tool for growth and empowerment, and, as a result of this, the means to develop and nurture growth more effectively in others. This work is based on cross-disciplinary research especially in fields looking at Emotional Intelligence (Salovey, Mayer; Goleman), Personal Leadership (Covey, Schmid), Coaching (Gallway, Whitmore), and the development of Relationships inside complex systems (Sclavi; John G. Geier; W. M. Marston). Taking account of this work we shall then look at how to adapt it to the needs of teachers and those working in education.

This study will be looking at how teachers can be empowered via coaching techniques. Coaching can be a highly effective tool for empowering teachers because is a partnership in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires people to maximize their personal and professional potential” 1, bringing benefits including “fresh perspectives on personal challenges, enhanced decision-making skills, greater interpersonal effectiveness, and increased confidence”2

The ‘care of the self’ is key to nurturing others (Schmid, 2012), in that it helps us to promote leadership and cope with change, so that we explore other possible scenarios (Sclavi, 2004). Coaching can be a valid tool to accompany any period of growth for teachers, who, once they are fully empowered can then enjoy greater awareness in their learning processes, and as a result are more able to promote both motivated and autonomous learning in their students.

 

[1]https://www.icf-italia.org/cose-il-coaching/(4-9-14)

[2] http://www.coachfederation.org/(4-9-14)