Reflections on the vocation of the teacher: formation, agency and meditation

Harvie, J. and Kerrigan, K. (2022) Reflections on the vocation of the teacher: formation, agency and meditation. In: Franchi, L. and Rymarz, R. (eds.) Formation of Teachers for Catholic Schools: Challenges and Opportunities in a New Era. Series: Catholic education globally: challenges and opportunities. Springer: Singapore, pp. 93-103. ISBN 9789811947261 (doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-4727-8_8)

Abstract

The increased secularisation of society, the general decline in Catholic cultures and lower levels of participation in the sacraments have resulted in recent generations of Catholic teachers having less experience in the traditions of the Catholic faith from which to draw to inform their practice. This chapter reflects upon Catholic teaching as personal vocation and proposes that the fulfilment of this vocation requires both professionalism and spiritual capacity. An ecological model of agency is used as a framework for exploring approaches to developing the professionalism and spiritual capital that Catholic teachers require in order to fulfil their mission as Catholic educators. Professional learning and the distinctive ethos of Catholic school cultures are found to play a significant role in their professional formation. Personal, reflective encounters with the person of Christ are identified as important to the process of faith formation, and approaches such as pilgrimage, reflection and Christian meditation are proposed as ways in which Catholic teachers can be supported in their development of spiritual capital and in the fulfilment of their Catholic teaching vocation.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Harvie, Dr Julie and Kerrigan, Mrs Kathleen
• Authors: Harvie, J., and Kerrigan, K.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Educational Leadership & Policy
• Publisher: Springer
• ISBN: 9789811947261