Hope and Purpose in Education

Hans van Mourik Broekman - In the early hours of a new school year, educators like you all across the country and the world, face a familiar mix of emotions. As they walk through the car park and swipe their fobs to enter the building, a sense of dread mingles with excitement. Whether it's their first day or their twentieth year, the feelings remain complex and never entirely positive or negative.

The wistful memories of summer break linger, with its rest, calm, and time spent with family and friends. Yet, as the school doors open, a surge of excitement takes hold. There’s anticipation about reuniting with students and colleagues, both old and new. The promise of a new school year brings with it a lot of possibilities. It means a return to the excitement, variety, complexity, and intensity of school life.

As we educators gather for our first in-service training day, we prepare to immerse ourselves in student-focused discussions. Plans, policies, curricula, pedagogies‌ and innovative approaches will soon dominate our attention. However, before diving into these crucial matters, it’s essential to pause and reflect on a fundamental question: Why are we here?

The obvious answer is “for the students.” Indeed, educators, we are committed to giving our best for their pupils’ benefit. However, there’s a deeper, more personal reason that often goes unacknowledged. Each educator is also here for him or herself,drawn to this profession by a sense of calling, interest‌ or excitement.

Even the most seasoned teachers somehow intuit that their participation in school life is a step towards their own fulfillment. Theexpereince that  teaching is, before any other considerations, fundamentally an act of hope - hope for the students, certainly, but also hope for oneself. Some people may feel disappointed after years in the profession. But it’s important for all of us to remember the first impulse, the first inkling, the search that led us become educators.

The Gospel of John provides a powerful example for our journey. It recounts how Andrew, one of John the Baptist’s disciples, followed his heart and approached Jesus with a simple yet profound question: “Where do you live?" This query was essentially an invitation, a desire to know Jesus not just for others, but for himself. Andrew’s hope overcame his cynicism, fatigue, and social constraints, leading him to verify if his deepest aspirations could correspond to something real.

Jesus’ response, “Come and see,”  invites and offers a transformative journey for Andrew. His willingness to follow his heart and listen to his deepest wishes led him to a life-changing encounter, with far-reaching consequences.

This biblical account raises a pertinent question for educators: how does one start afresh? How can we leave behind disappointments, frustrations, fears‌ and anxieties to move forward and inquire into something new? While it may seem foolish or reckless, this act of following one’s heart is profoundly human. It involves prioritizing our deepest hopes and desires — for truth, beauty, friendship‌ and all that is good.

As educators embarking on a new school year, we are invited to recognize and honor our hopes and dreams, both as professionals and as individuals. These aspirations represent the core of their humanity and will ultimately make a difference to their students, colleagues‌ and themselves.

The journey will inevitably include dark days and moments of joy and laughter. Throughout this journey, we must remind each other of our purpose, our hope‌ and our shared humanity. In this spirit, the school community can come together to look for that which truly gives life, feeds the soul and satisfies both our humanity and our calling.

As the new academic year unfolds, may each of us as educators have the courage to “come and” see   - to explore, to question, and to pursue our most profound hopes.In this pursuit, we will find not only professional fulfillment but also personal growth and a renewed sense of purpose in our noble calling.
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These remarks were made to teachers at Saint John Plessington School in Bebington England on September 2, 2024