Didasko

Education is summed up in one word, “didasko”.  This is an ancient Greek word that is translated as “to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses.”  It is my philosophy that as an educator, I must not only teach but I must also learn.  If I do not continually learn then I cannot effectively teach.  One cannot exist without the other. 

Didasko is being a reflective educator.  I should learn from my lessons just as my students are learning.  The information I am learning as I teach may be different than the information that the students are learning, but I am learning nonetheless.  As I learn, my skills as an educator are improved and my ability to effectively reach my students is enhanced.  

Didasko applied to the administrator means that I am obligated to learn everyday from my situations and surroundings so I may effectively lead.  Most of the greatest leaders in history were great educators and I believe, in turn, to be a great educator it is a necessity to be a leader.  Administrative leaders are educators and learners in the purest sense.  It is the duty of an administrator to take in a situation; reflect; make a decision; educate those around and involved; then draw on the experience for future reference.  Didasko is being a reflective administrator.  

The last part of my philosophy involves the attitude and personality of the subject presentation.  There is no such thing as a boring subject, there are simply boring presentations of the subject.  Learning is fun and exciting.  The American Heritage College Dictionary defines education as not only “knowledge obtained through a learning process,” but an “instructive and enlightening experience.”  As an educator, I am merely a custodian bestowed with the task of turning on the light bulbs in the minds of my students.  That task is neither boring nor dull, but exhilarating beyond belief.

Until next time...