The spirituality of student teachers: A blind spot?

 

Die spiritualiteit van onderwysstudente: 'n blinde kol?

 

 

J. de Klerk-Luttig

Department of Education Policy Studies, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch. E-mail: jdkl@sun.ac.za

 

 

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ABSTRACT

This article, which is framed in a Christian perspective, argues the importance of creating a space to nurture the spirituality of student teachers since that colours the entire educational experience. Teacher education ought to be done in an environment which is conducive not only to intellectual growth, but also to spiritual growth. First, the concept of spirituality is briefly explained. The particular experiences of a lecturer in the Philosophy of Education, who is attempting to provide support for the spiritual dimension of students by challenging them to explore some of the fundamental questions of life, form the central part of the article. Ways are suggested of not only acknowledging the spirituality of education students, but also nurturing and deepening it. Finally, suggestions for further research are outlined.

Key concepts: connectedness; holistic education; meaning; spiritual dimension; student teachers

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OPSOMMING

In hierdie artikel word die belangrikheid van die skep van 'n ruimte vir die ondersteuning van die spiritualiteit van onderwysstudente beklemtoon. Die spirituele behoort erken te word as 'n onmisbare deel van die holistiese voorbereiding van onderwysers. Gedurende hulle opleiding behoort 'n omgewing geskep te word waarin nie net die intellektuele nie, maar ook die spirituele kan gedy. Daar word gebruik gemaak van die ervarings van die skrywer as dosent van die Filosofie van die Opvoeding waardaarin die klasse gepoog word om die spirituele dimensie van die studente te ondersteun deur hulle onder andere met sommige van die kernvrae van die lewe te konfronteer. Spiritualiteit, wat 'n integrale deel uitmaak van 'n onderwyserse lewensfilosofie, kleurdie hele opvoedingsgebeure. In hierdie artikel wat vanuit n Christelike raamwerk geskryf word, word die konsep "spiritualiteit" kortliks verduidelik en voorstelle word gemaak ten einde die spiritualiteit van onderwysstudente nie bloot te erken nie, maar ook te ondersteun en uit te bou.

Kernbegrippe: holistiese opvoeding; onderwysstudente; sin (betekenis); spirituele dimensie; verbondenheid

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