I’m a Teacher because I’m a rebel – Nadezda, alumni and DNS Teacher
Why did I become a teacher? Because I am a rebel.
But let’s start from the beginning – how did I get to this?
First of all, teenager me didn’t get from school what I needed. Also, I didn’t know what I needed, and nobody could help me to find it, because it is our responsibility in the end. It wasn’t all so sad, though! A desperate search of the purpose got me where I am now – a place in the DNS Teacher Council.
Where am I now?
In an uncomfortable place of an educator of the future generation. I see it as a gigantic, out of proportion, responsible and scary task, and I love it! I love to be confident in the era of self-doubt, to struggle with by-products of “system education”, to fight for progress, to seek alternatives, to transform my worldview through every single step on the way. Believe me; it is a restless life – to be a rebel teacher.
FYI, a teacher in this context is something radically different from what you imagine. To be honest, it is radically different from what I imagine too! My strategy now with the role of a teacher is not to give it any definition, but, rather, continue with a list of tasks and responsibilities.
One day a student asked me “What is your power as a teacher”? What is it, I thought? Most importantly, it is not power OVER somebody, but power with and within. Power of energy, I guess? The more energy I put in the learning process, the more power I project. Power to empower.
Coming back to the rebel me
Every day I rebel against myself, against conformity, against hopelessness and powerlessness.
I see DNS Teacher Training as a lifestyle which will challenge the concept of education in the world and help people like me to transform and find the unique kind of teacher within.
Either we rebel, or we don’t.
More Life After DNS
There are too many things I want to learn and share: being a teacher combines both – Svetlana, alumni and DNS Teacher
To choose the path of teaching took me some time, I must say. It started on my very first 1st of September, this is the day when the school year starts in Lithuania. I simply loved it. And I am not talking about the lessons and tests, but about all the kinds of people I got to interact with and about the learning process that was happening there, somehow in between lessons most of the time. Though I was in love with the school and Summer holidays always seemed too long of a break, I never thought I will become a teacher. It is now, when I reflect, I see lots of sense in my actions and choices that led me to choose this profession.
3 Takeaways from DNS – Aušrinė, alumni
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...
You simply never give up, there is always a solution – Theresa, alumni
Theresa Link graduated from DNS in 2012. She has worked as a social educator and teacher in Denmark and Germany. Music and performance art are some of her passions.
I’m prepared for everything – Eszter, alumni
“I think I got used to unknown things…. and I now have the power to survive in any kind of situation, to figure out some kind of solution… I am kind of prepared for everything. But I miss my team!”
Education never stops, it’s lifelong learning – Elo, alumni
“People are different and have different boundaries. DNS helped me to realize that everybody has different limits, and we cannot ask everybody to do the same. This is what I use also a lot when I’m teaching.”
