Sr. Katherine Feely, SND Transformative Education & Implications for Sponsorship.

Sr. Katherine Feely, SND

Transformative Education & Implications for Sponsorship

12/9/08 Prepared by K.Feely, SND [email protected]

Goals of Presentation:To gain a basic overview of the emerging

field of transformative learning and five key processes.

To look at the nature of transformative learning in relationship to community history and the role of Charism in today’s world.

To explore possible applications for sponsorship.


OverviewDefine termsSupportive communityDislocationCritical ReflectionRitual/Symbol/SensesEngagement & ActionDiscussion


Engage the content of this presentation to look at:Mission/vision/value Retreats for your networkBoard FormationParent EducationAlumni EngagementCharism PresentationsFaculty In-service DesignsRetreat Program Design and ContentService Learning Programs in member schools


The Case for this Conversation Youth: ‘helping those in need’ over the Eucharist CST: an ‘inch deep and a mile wide’ Society: total loss of a Catholic subculture Only 15% of young people are active in the

Church. Young Adults: “I’m spiritual but not religious” Youth have a high sense of moral identity but

feel they have no power or agency CRS/NCEA study on integration of CST in High

Schools12/9/08 Prepared by K.Feely, SND [email protected]

What is transformative Education?

1. Changing perspectives of how we looka. from Cultureb. from Faith (Catholic Social Teaching)

2. Social in nature – transformation comes through supportive community

3. More inductive and experiential – includes dislocation and crossing borders

4. Dealing with fundamental structures of perception and structures of meaning

5. Outcome: Hope through creative engagement – the “How and Why” of how our assumptions have shaped our world view.


Questions:1. What engages the deepest part of the

person to see themselves as part of the world community?

Who do we influence?

What are their hungers?

Now what happens?


O’Sullivan Sees education as missionary work Must emphasize cross-cultural dialogue

Implications: Educators need to name what exactly is going

on and shape it in a lens of hope. Students need deeper ways of engaging in

the learning process.


Desired outcome of this field of study:

To better understand how students and adults cope with the processes of inner and outward conflict, dialogue, change, and reintegration in the many variations not yet understood.


Start from the Bottom up: name the audience and their hungers Identify the hungers of every human beingsIdentify the top concerns of educators?

Where is the intersection? Where’s the disconnection?


I. Defining Terms


Transformative Learning

Transformative learning involves experiencing a deep, structural shift in the basic premises of thought, feelings, and actions.


Transformative Learning

It is a shift of consciousness that dramatically and irreversibly alters our way of being in the world.


Transformative LearningSuch a shift involves

our understanding of ourselves and our self-locations;

our relationships with other humans and with the natural world;

our understanding of relations of power in interlocking structures of class, race and gender;

our body awarenesses, our visions of alternative approaches to living; and our sense of possibilities for social justice and

peace and personal joy. 12/9/08 Prepared by K.Feely, SND [email protected]

Three Phases of Transformative Learning

critical reflection

reflective discourse

action.


Three Dimensions:Perspective transformation:

1. Psychological (changes in understanding of the self),

2. Convictional (revision of belief systems)3. Behavioral (changes in lifestyle)


“Social action from a spiritual perspective comes from the heart rather than the ego.”

–Jack Miller, Learning from a Spiritual Perspective


II. Supportive Communities


Question:Where do we need to change the models to

change the community, not just the person?


Community as locusSchool as formational community

Personal transformation is based on a change in perspective

AND Personal development is embedded in a larger social community


Experience

Experience is the most powerful teacher. Experience makes ‘ideas’ or theories tangible

and concrete.The value of service learning and

immersions.Experience touches the mind, heart and

feelings,


III. Begins with Dislocation


Through some event which could be as traumatic as losing a job or as ordinary as an unexpected question, an individual becomes aware of holding a limiting or distorted view.

If the individual critically examines this view, opens herself to alternatives, and consequently changes the way she sees things, she has transformed some part of how she makes meaning out of the world.


IV. Critical Reflection onPoints of View


Analyze Perspectives


"Perspective transformation is the process of becoming critically aware of how and why our assumptions have come to constrain the way we perceive, understand, and feel about our world; changing these structures of habitual expectation to make possible a more inclusive, discriminating, and integrating perspective; and, finally, making choices or otherwise acting upon these new understandings"

-Jack Mezirow , Transformative Dimensions Of Adult

Learning (1991) 12/9/08 Prepared by K.Feely, SND [email protected]

Name Assumptions – Identify Perceptions

Starting pointInfluences behind the scenesViewpointWorldviewSeeing anew


V. Rituals, Symbols and Senses


CatholicismFrom the ‘what’To the Way


VI. Engagement & Action:


“Transformational learning is both a social and a solitary process.”

–Taylor, The Theory and Practice of Transformative Learning


Develop Critical Thinking Skills

What is happening here?Why is it happening?What are the root causes?Where do you see

connections?What if…?What action is needed?


VII. Hope is Central


Question:

How doe we awaken joy as a hallmark of Christianity and being human?


“Hope is essential for a critically conscious and visionary education that is necessary in our critical historical moment.”

-Paulo Friere12/9/08 Prepared by K.Feely, SND [email protected]

VIII. Charism & Transformative Education

What does this mean for Sponsorship?


CharismsDefinition: A special variety of gifts dispensed

through the Holy Spirit in Church and world, as needed, for the common good.

Point: Charisms emerge among people not only in the Church but also in the world. (The gifts of the Spirit are not confined to ecclesial institutions.)

Point: Charisms may be found wherever there is human need. (often in the least likely places, among the least likely carriers.)

Point: Charisms are unique gifts given for the common good.. (They are never private possessions.)


CharismHow has your Charism brought about a

transformation in society? (Ask your Board Members, faculty, staff, parents, alumni…)

What are the unmet needs in the world today that still need the full expression of your Charism? (Ask your Board Members, faculty, staff, parents, alumni…)


Identify Power …and its uses

“In every community there is work to be done. In every nation there are wounds to heal. In every heart there is the power to do it.” -Marianne Williamson


“Only a profoundly contemplative and transformative education has the power to nurture the vibrant, diverse civilization that should be our global future.”

– Arthur Zajonc


What institutional elements are essential to our faith community in the future?

What elements do we have to let go of?


Questions/Discussion


Discussion:What are some ways you can use, shape and

develop transformative learning theory for your work in sponsorship?

AdministrationBoardCurriculumExtra Curricular Activities (i.e. Service)AthleticsRetreatParent Collaboration


Discussion:

Are our present pedagogical tools and processes adequate for the next decade? Where might they need to be reshaped or rethought?


Discussion:

What linkages - between congregations, organizations, institutions, fields and along the personal development continuum - are necessary to promote transformative education in the next decade?


DiscussionWhat other questions do we need to be

asking as this point?


Summary & Review:Defined terms Essential elements:

Supportive communityDislocationCritical ReflectionRitual/Symbol/SensesEngagement & Action

Discussion


Summary of Presentation Goals:To gain a basic overview of the emerging

field of transformative learning and five key processes.

To look at the nature of transformative learning in relationship to community history and the role of charism in today’s world.

To explore possible applications for sponsorship.


Thank you.Resources on the Web site:

www.ci-schools.orgUsername: SRB

Password: sponsorshipPowerPoint PresentationCARA Study on State of CST in High SchoolsLink to Video Clip


Sr. Katherine Feely, SND Transformative Education & Implications for Sponsorship.

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