Teaching is only worthwhile with love and understanding

Colleagues from Rise and United Networks programs of Caritas Alba Iulia organized a workshop for pedagogs working in educational and social environments, aimed at inspiring thought, encouraging problem-solving, and fostering effective collaboration. The event, titled Desires and Reality in Pedagogy, took place on the 31^st of January in Zetea, bringing together thirty-three teachers, a school principal, a social worker, a healthcare mediator, and five Caritas professionals. Participants sought answers to questions such as: What motivates individuals to choose teaching as a profession? What challenges do teachers face in their daily work? How can burnout be prevented? One can find below a report by István Sándor, the host of the event.

In the first part of the workshop, the institutional facilitator emphasized his perspective that darkness and cold are not independent qualities in themselves but rather indicators of the absence of warmth and light. In this sense, evil does not inherently exist – only the lack of goodness. Goodness is present in every person, and even disadvantaged communities have the potential for growth and value creation. One of the most important tasks of teachers is not to pressure students or extract knowledge from them forcefully but rather to gently bring out the best in them with love and understanding. This approach can help make teaching not just a challenge but also a source of joy and fulfillment.

In the next section, participants shared personal stories about why they chose teaching as a profession. Most were inspired by exemplary teachers, the joy of passing on knowledge, and the desire to support children’s development. However, many also spoke about the challenges they encountered over time, which sometimes dampened their initial enthusiasm. Several teachers highlighted issues such as students with attention difficulties, exhausted and overburdened children, and disengaged learners on the fringes of the classroom environment. Some humorously mentioned that they could „turn cartwheels” to capture students’ attention, yet some pupils would still remain uninterested and unmotivated. Additionally, preparing for a lesson in a professional and engaging manner requires a complex planning process to ensure that the material is conveyed effectively to multiple age groups at the same time.

At the end of the workshop, participants used brainstorming techniques to generate solutions and breakthrough opportunities to help protect teachers from burnout.

During the closing reception, it became evident that there is a strong demand for similar events where educators can share their experiences and collectively explore possible solutions. The meeting provided inspiration and reassurance to all of us that, despite its many challenges, teaching is a valuable and meaningful profession.

Article: Júlia Orbán
Translation: Karola Bartos-Siposs

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