Running Heading: Jesuit Values Essay

My Final Vision Paper

Julio Salas

EDEF 404 Foundations of Teaching

Professor Lyons
March 5, 2017
Running Heading: Jesuit Values Essay

Abstract

As I embark on this next step towards becoming a teacher, I intend to

graduate from Regis University, not just with an education, but an understanding and

appreciation for the values a Jesuit school provides. Personally, having always wanted to

attend this university, the Jesuit name never stood out to me. Jesuit Catholic was just

Catholic in my mind. It was not until His Holiness, Pope Francis had become pope and

the term Jesuit was being looked at from all outlets that I started to look into what Jesuit

meant as well.

Known as Gods Marines the Jesuits were founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in

1534 along with six fellow classmates at the University of Paris. The founding members

of the Society of Jesus at the time took vows, vows of pervert, chastity, and obedience to

the pope. The core values of a Regis Jesuit education; Magis, Women and Men for and

with Others, Cura Personalis, Unity of Mind and Heart, Contemplatives in Actions, and

Finding God in all Things are ones that not only hope to apply to my life, but to live them

in all that I do as an educator.

In my courses I will apply the value of Magis. Magis does not mean to always do

or give more but to be the best I can be and give all I can give, to do more the refusal to

be satisfied with mediocrity. I will apply these characteristics in my courses by always

giving my best in my courses and course work. This I owe to my class and professors, to

myself, and to God. I know not many people have the opportunity that I have been

awarded. I intend to transfer this over, as an educator by striving to always provide for
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my students the best, because the value and worth of the education they receive is

something they will always carry with them. I can name 7 teachers from elementary to

highs school that have impacted my life for the better by being around for me and

providing support academically, socially, and emotionally. They saw the value and worth

in me and in what an education can provide for so many.

In my service work I will apply the value of Cura Personalis, Men and Women for

and With Others. Cura Personalis Latin for care for the whole person. Applying this value

into my service work to me means that each person should be treated with respect and

dignity, as each person is a child of God. Through my service work I will always treat my

work and those I am helping with dignity and respect. Promoting this is something one

has to live and show through action. Men and Women for the Service of Others is the

value that I believe perfectly sums up our service work. For me applying this value means

sharing and giving, pursuing justice, and having an involvement and caring for the

marginalized and poor in my community. Cura Personalis encompasses the profession of

an educator, to care for the person as a whole, to me means that I am not just responsible

for my student academic engagement and development, but emotionally, socially, as

whole.

In student teaching the value of Unity of Mind and Heart to me means engaging

students in an educational environment that promotes values of the heart, and one that

promotes critical thinking and educates to the whole person so that the best possible

education is given. In student teaching applying this value will allow me to step into the

education field and watching these values within the students grow through the semester.
Running Heading: Jesuit Values Essay

Being an educator, I will be called to find compassion for the various circumstances my

students face in the school and out. Contemplating in action is a value that I can apply to

all of these areas, but I think it is specifically important in student teaching, as I find the

compassion and understanding listed above will require me to reflect upon to guide my

actions as an educator where I will serve my community in charity and selflessness.

In all of these areas as a whole, the value of Finding God in all things allows not

to incorporate all the values on a daily basis in one life. Searching for God in every

person, in every circumstance, and area of my life, I will always be reminded to give

more, show respect and dignity for the poor, marginalized and those hurting. By

reflecting on all things to strengthen ones spiritual life and as a guide I will be able to

better serve my community and its needs. As I plan to work in a low income school, I

know there will be time when things I see or hear will upset me, but being able to find

GOD in all things, knowing I am in a position to help and possibly why I am in the

position will all allow me to attend to my students no matter my or their circumstances in

life.

In my personal life and profession as an educator, Cura Personalis, or caring for

the person will be of up most importance to me as a teacher. Growing up in a community

of low income and poverty, for me the issue means a lot to me. By providing not only an

education, but also a safe environment for my future students, I will be caring for the

personal development of the whole person in every child that walks into my classroom.

This extends not only to caring for their academic development, but also socially,

emotionally, and their basic needs. In my personal life I will seek and find God in all

things, in all of creation, in the world around me, in my thoughts and emotions, in fears
Running Heading: Jesuit Values Essay

and desires. I will always question, wonder, and listen. By doing these things, I can

continue personally reflecting on God and carry some of these into my professional life.

Taking note that GOD is everywhere and will allow me to apply and live all other Jesuit

values. Finding GOD in all things will allow me to be grounded, humble, and grateful to

be in such a meaningful profession, a profession that makes a difference and allows me to

educate and inspire.

Magis in my life will be shown in my efforts to always strive for the best as a

teacher, not just asking for it from my students, but giving my all, and best to each one of

my students year in and year out. This can show up as after school help in a subject,

offering assistance to a childs family, or just by being person of support for my students.

I will always make time for these things. Personally the unity of mind and heart in my

personal life is something I have now, and will continue to grow. My love for learning,

for my community, and children, together with knowing that I can do anything with the

right support and guidance, that it is our job to change the world for the better.

Professionally I plan to instill in my students these values by teaching them about who

they are as a person, to find their passion in life and to follow it, to always know that

changing the world for the better, no matter how small the change is still a change for the

better. On the note of change I will professionally always contemplate in action and take

such action on social issues, and will pass on what it means to not only think critically,

but to act. My community of low-income students, where I plan on teaching is one that

has about 90% poverty. I will personally embody the value of Men and Women for and

with others by pursing whenever and whatever I can for my community students and my

community. The act of providing service for those in need is one that has been part of my
Running Heading: Jesuit Values Essay

personal life as a volunteer at a food bank, and will be a unique opportunity to show my

future students that we can always give to those in need.

As I reflect on the past 7 to 8 weeks I have learned where education has come in

the past one hundred years, and with that, where I want to take it. I have become aware of

my ever progressing philosophy of education that places importance on educations,

inspirations, learning the most I can, and changing, creating the change I want to see

through innovation, critical thinking, challenging cultural, traditional and classroom

norms to best my students and their needs. I have begun thinking about how to best

involve students, creating an engaging environment that supports effective teaching, and

acknowledged areas in my past education that I struggled in, all to start looking at where

I can take past experiences and apply them to my future classrooms. I have learned how

lesson plans, assessment and best practices should engage students in their learning, and

just as importantly, I have seen the importance of community involvement, not just in the

school, but around the school, parents, teachers, and community members all coming

together to better the lives of these students.

As a Regis student, attending a school that is founded on the Jesuit principles, I

will be given that opportunity to learn about, explore, and apply these principles into my

course, service work, community and later into my professional and personal life. Just

within this essay I have learned a lot about the history of St. Ignatius of Loyola and what

it means to uphold Jesuit values, I cannot wait to see what I have discovered when

writing my post essay.