The Formative Years
The formative years of life are indeed the most important as this is where healthy lifelong habits are formed. There is an art and science to shaping humans, and it does take a caring thoughtful village. Teaching for fourteen years in The Boston Public Schools, I realized what students most needed was consistent, caring, and loving human interactions through engaging hands-on curriculum, structured daily discipline, meaningful community involvement, and a healthy vibrant positive staff that communicates skillfully.
The strength of a school lies in the strength of its staff. The teacher-student relationship lies at the heart of a school. Every student needs at least one adult who truly believes in them. As teachers are on the front lines of education, they play a critical role in transmitting knowledge and offering key support and encouragement.
If children were taught from birth that they had a very special purpose here on Earth, and that they have a unique talent to contribute to society, they would listen very carefully and engage more fully in their education because they would feel how truly valuable they are.
The mathematical odds of being born on Earth are slim if one takes into account the number of viable eggs in a female and the millions of sperm that are produced daily in a man and that those particular two fuse together to form a new human. It is truly a wonder that each of us is here. The miracle of life.
My teaching philosophy taps into the natural curiosity and sense of wonder that children bring as natural explorers and problem solvers. I was drawn to the science as it presents a framework for students to learn about, understand and interpret the world around them. Thinking critically, answering complex questions and problem solving are invaluable life skills.
Fostering creativity helps students to experience flow in their learning. This is where integrated high impact projects come into play. Students can have some choice about what they want to learn and how they want to learn it.
Learning about science enables students to explore and investigate things from the inside out and from the top down. Students learn best when they become personally involved in their learning so it is important for them to have hands on experiences where they get to be creators rather than just consumers.
The play that children engage in give pointed insights into who they will become as adults. It is no surprise that I grew up to be a teacher as I would spend hours playing school in my basement. Play is how we learn best so I encourage play everyday in every way as a teaching strategy and advise The Cape Cod Toy Library founded by Deb Wiles, a brilliant woman, who I met first at my Uncle’s funeral and then again in The Life is Good Playmaker Project Trainings.
From an atom to a solar system, from the microcosm to the macrocosm, from the depths of the ocean to the mysteries inside a black hole, science holds many wonders for us to explore. Equally important is to teach children how to be happy, health, and emotionally stable exploring the inner worlds within with a focus on healthy nonviolent communication and cooperation skills.
Human potential is vast and in order for it to fully flower, attention, care, love, discipline, encouragement, opportunity, and nurturing must be given. It takes a dedicated team to grow and evolve a community of learners. This is the work I have been called to do. All of the experiences thus far in my life have led me to this place where I know I can lead with love and courage to help others learn and grow holistically through relationship and working towards a higher purpose for all of humanity.
Kimberly Kamborian’s Educational Philosophy:
o Hands on inquiry based teaching and learning
o Everyone can learn o Relationships set the foundation
o Social-emotional education is just as important as academic
o The quality of a school lies in the strength of its staff
o Invest in Teachers as they are on the frontlines of education
o Set up structures that serve the people
o Staff meeting and planning time is essential
o Safety language protocols and norms must be set with all groups
o Community Partnerships strengthen a school to bring everyone together for the betterment of society
o Innovative Parental Engagement
o Celebrate student’s by showcasing their work and accomplishments
As tomorrow's adults, today's students will face many challenges that cannot be predicted, but they will be prepared to meet those new challenges if they have received a sound, basic education and secure sense of themselves as learners. From a blood cell to a star, from the bottom of the sea to the depths of the universe, science pervades every area of our lives. It is the study of everything that exists.
Teaching Philosophy
Includes: Standards-based, Engaging, Hands-on, Inquiry-based, Meaningful Integrated Projects using Rubrics, Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Field trips, Guest Speakers, Community Involvement, Contact with parents, Showcasing student work, Integration of Technology: (Google Classroom, Khan Academy, MS office, Graphing, Coding, etc.), Classroom Environment of Discovery, Creativity, Exploration, Safety, Group Work Routines, Reflection, Self-assessment, Journaling, Social-Emotional Integration, Life Skills, Relationship Skills, Financial Literacy
Holistic education seeks to nourish the whole being-the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Each of the four bodies has its own nourishment and must be tended to equally.
The physical body requires adequate sleep/rest, healthy food, hydration, movement, nurturing touch, and fresh air to breathe deeply.
The emotional body needs to be tuned into daily to see how it feels and what it needs. The simple act of listening and validating an individual’s emotions immediately calms one down when agitated or upset. It is important that young children understand that their emotions are an important part of their guidance system which helps us to take the next right action or make the best choice for ourselves.
The mind feeds on new ideas; possibility thinking as I like to call it, so it can be encouraged to expand and forge new neurological pathways. “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve”. Our spirits need to soar and connect with values, beliefs, and stories that bring deep meaning to out lives and touch our hearts in the most profound ways. Here is where I introduce Quantum Physics or what some may call Metaphysics.
I tell students to try different things and feel what resonates with them and let their free will choice guide them to go deeper with that subject matter, hobby, pursuit, or interest. Seek and find the people that you want to learn from and learn to express yourself through both the written and spoken word. To create a thriving community is possible by harmonizing hearts and delivering high quality programming that meets the needs of all four bodies.
When I first began working for The Gelfand Family Charitable Trust, I came out of 18 years of teaching science in various schools to students in grades 6-12. I had honed my teaching practice and Mark gave me an amazing opportunity to grow at a global level serving as Project Director guiding school to develop, travel to three continents and support schools, individuals, and organizations to improve their STEM programming.
“In every child there is a scientist”. A quote by Mark Gelfand that is found in many of the STEM centers in Israel and East Africa that The Gelfand Family Charitable Trust funded. GFCT has now transformed into an organization called STEM POWER based in Ethiopia. Following from mark, I modify the quote adding “ In every child, there is a special purpose” and my work facilitates the blossoming of these unique gifts within each and everyone.
Storytelling is a powerful tool. Stories have been passed down through the ages as they are a part of how the human mind has evolved. If children were taught through poignant stories how to be resilient early on through the understanding that they would encounter difficult situations throughout their entire life and that this is normal, they can be heroes. Themes such as death of a loved one, sickness, heartbreak are rites of passage that we all must go through, but with the right support and tools anything can be overcome.
I always wondered why these simple truths are not taught in school. Emotional intelligence, spiritual connections and tools, financial fitness are left out of the curriculum. These are all needed for a growth mindset so we can all keep expanding our mental models of what is possible here on Earth.
When I was a child, I would spend hours in my basement with my friend Noel playing school. We created elaborate books and lined up our dolls and stuffed animals in front of our blackboard so we could play teacher.
The African proverb that it takes a village to raise a child is very true. I experienced this first hand as a single mother raising two boys. Each individual has strengths and weaknesses. As we work together in cohesive teams, we can recognize what is needed daily and adjust as a group. Recognizing our limits and when we need to regenerate. Sometimes we have to go slow to go fast.
I do believe we are all leaders and we step into greater circles of influence when we are called to do so. I feel called at this time to bring all of the experience and insights I have gained in almost thrity years of working in the field of education. I am ready to serve on the Educational Leadership Team for The New Earth and to serve the students and staff as an Instructional Leader.
Spirit speaks the same language; love, and it is through love and care that true inner tansformation happens. I speak the language of love and will teach that to all who cross my path with a compassionate heart.
I was given the chance to think bigger, to see how a variety of schools operate and to meet myriad leaders in their fields.
I was privileged to work with Nancy Kriegel in The Combined Jewish Philanthropies and with Houry Boyamian at St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School. Through this work, I developed relationships with a variety of individuals in the fourteen Jewish Day Schools as well as St. Stephens and was struck by the importance of value based education which is essential in growing healthy individuals. To be able to teach values which an entire community embraces and respects is one of the cornerstones of a strong Education. I wish all school communities could adopt this powerful practice.
All of the philosophies, practices, and pedagogy mentioned in this blog are woven into all of the Center for Core Healing services: classes, workshops, mentoring, and school presentations. “The hidden curriculum” is available here and necessary in raising healthy, happy, thriving youth.
If you would like to schedule school programs, small group work for youth and teens, and guidance in shaping youth’s formative years, please visit www.centerforcorehealing.com to learn more about core healing classes, workshops, and mentoring. Schedule a Free Consultation with Kimberly to discuss services best suited to meet your needs.
