Compassion in the classroom
SEE Learning in Action
Jhamtse Gatsal English Teacher Ophelia is brilliantly leading the implementation of SEE Learning at Jhamtse Gatsal, while she also becomes a “certified” SEE Learning Facilitator. Ophelia was kind enough to share the following insights and photos with us.
“All our teachers have completed the basic SEE 101 orientations as SEE Learning overlaps with Jhamtse's vision of love and compassion. In learning to facilitate such a curriculum, the teachers are the first learners. We explore and learn several compassion practices, and how to use the pedagogy of SEE Learning effectively.
This brings us to use a common language that is based in compassion. It also encourages teachers to use a compassionate lens for all measures at the school-level. The curriculum inspires us to use the ethics of SEE Learning not just in the classroom, but also in our other community interactions.
Jhamtse Gatsal’s educating the heart, mind and body pedagogy is aligned with SEE Learning's framework of the three dimensions namely - awareness, compassion, and engagement. To directly quote from the SEE Learning Companion:
"It is the trifecta of awareness, compassion, and skillful engagement that can yield the most beneficial results for self and others. This parallels the idea of "head" and "heart" and "hand" respectively."
Grades 5 & 6 practicing Grounding – a resilience practice in noticing how the body feels held and safe in its contact with a surface
Facilitator: Ophelia Lobo
Because of this seamless overlap with Jhamtse's pedagogy, SEE Learning seems to be the perfect curriculum we can adopt for the Community. Of course, these three dimensions (awareness, compassion, and engagement) relate intimately.
For example, the engagement aspect considers a focus on interdependence and systems thinking - something Gen La talks about and deeply hopes for the community members to notice and appreciate.
Grades 5, 6, 7 discussing what kindness and compassion mean – trying to arrive at their own conclusions and create their own definitions
Facilitator: Ophelia Lobo
With SEE Learning, I started facilitation with both students and adults. I conducted a “Glimpse into SEE Learning” workshop on 17 October for the teaching staff and the Administration team. It was also a part of my submission process for my SEE Learning Facilitator portfolio to be "certified". I hope to receive my certification this December.
Grade 4 working on Class Agreements – a Learning Experience under chapter 1 – Creating a Compassionate Classroom.
Grade 4 presenting their final chart on working on Class Agreements
L to R: Pema Y, Siddharth S, Konchu L, Kesang T, Passang L, Barsa T, Karsang D.
Classroom agreements - Grade 4
The teaching staff has completed SEE 101, and some have been implementing the age-appropriate curriculum in their classrooms during "reflection time" - the first period of the day before academic classes begin.
The Ama la’s (house-mothers) are also working on the SEE 101 right now with me. We hope to train ourselves in the next step called “Taste of SEE Learning” sometime this academic year itself.”
Children of class 10 making an attention mind map and an attention disability chart as a part of the daily SEE Learning reflection.