3 main things that i take away from DNS

DNS made me realize that to be a teacher is also to be an active citizen, politician, farmer, mechanic, economist etc… it is a hollistic profession.

Many believe that a teacher is just an employee school that gives lessons from 08:00 til 15:00, it is not an easy job as well… Due to that i feel many are reluctant to profession. I do however believe there is much more to it! I honestly think that being able to teach is a key component for the development of a person. I understand that all the professions are significant in the World, but I know that everything starts from the path the teacher guides us on. Being a teacher is a lifestyle not just a profession. A parent is a teacher, a leader of a country is a teacher, even a child at his/her early development is a teacher – We all have the possibility to teach something and be a positive influence in someone’s life.

I think the 3 main things that i take away from DNS are:

1. Alone the World changes you, together we change the World

DNS brought me to an understanding that the power of people is what we need in this World. The feeling of belonging to a community, whether it is living in the city in your individual apartment or taking a part in the neighbors club in the rural area. It is not a physical concept, which matters, it is a concept of striking for the same goal of achievement.

2.Get used to being Challenged

We are living in the World, which is tough. The decisions and actions of the World‘s leaders and citizens creates an environment, which is challenging for all. Some tend to seek for comfort and privilege – easier to do in Northen Europen countries. But settling on comfort does not make us happy and we should not take it for granted. DNS has shaken me in admitting to myself that nothing comes without hard work, challenging environment, confrontations, escape of the comfort zone and most importantly the feeling of responsibility and ownership of your own learning. This realization does not necessarily come along in the DNS programme, but i believe it comes up sooner or later (hopefully sooner) and it definitely changes the perspective we look upon life.

3. Variety is the spice of life – don’t settle to do one thing at a time

My days have never been so diverse like the ones, I experienced in DNS. The magic of a variety of tasks and activities we did every day has made me learn that multitasking and managing all the responsibilities are more than possible. You learn to work with your time managment, you learn to dedicate the tasks, ask for help when needed, organize group work, strengthen your critical, creative, practical skills and just move the things forward, no matter how slow sometimes the things seem to take a pace.

What happens after DNS?

Now it is exactly a year since I graduated from DNS. At first, you get yourself into a confusion, who are you, where are you and how do you imagine yourself being a part of the society. You know and feel what your role is and should be but as many graduates of DNS experience, it is not always easy to decide what challange to take next. You feel empowered and capable of moving mountains and the skills gained could be used in a lot of different jobs and projects. The task is to precisely choose that one or several things that I, another kind of teacher, want to perceive.

I have put myself into different situations, I have travelled, attended projects, implemented teaching actions and explored different possibilities. Then I realised that the main thing that has made an impact on me while being in DNS was the power of people. I reevaluated the significance of the community, work with people and for people, striking for the same goal and being the part of the change in somebody‘s life. And I have decided to come back to Tvind and start working in the Villas (a care-home for the people with special needs), where I knew that the amount of responsibility, organisation, and creativity I would get involved myself into, would make me grow, learn and be challenged. I believe that starting something new is not always necessarily needed, continuing what you have already started can make a bigger impact on your path in changing the World in the long term. Right now, it has been some months since I am back in Tvind and it has not crossed my mind that it was wrong decision for me.

My goal is to make an impact on the future generations

My life goal is to commit to making an impact on the life of our current and future generations and in my case, those students in need. I want to make a difference in their life and contribute to their development. I envision myself being an active and confident person besides those who simply can’t or struggle to find their own individual way of living. The World is changing and the challenges we face as a society as well. I am taking on step at the time and contributing as much as possible.

What is my team up to?

I am happy to know that my fellow teammates are all in the same journey of discovering their active roles in our society. Each of us took different professional directions: from working as a kindergarten teacher, Waldorf school teacher, pedagogue for socially challenged teenagers to a project coordinator in an NGO. Some do practical jobs, some volunteer, travel, create or join various social and pedagogical projects.