About Transcendence
Hunter O'Hara (2015) describes transcendence as the teacher learner relationship that forms a deep, mutual connection. A teacher portrayed transcendence when he or she forms a deep, personal connection with his or her learners. This connection must be mutual for true transcendence to occur. The transcendent relationship has the following levels: transcendent atmosphere (warm, loving atmosphere), transcendent interaction (mutual, respectful interaction that allows both sides to flourish), and transcendent encounter (turning point that allows for both sides to the relationship to see differently). A transcendent teacher must be genuine with his or her learners and care for their student’s well being.
A Philosopher's Thoughts on Love in Transcendent Teacher Learner Relationships
Eduard Spranger was a German philosopher and psychologist, who had a heart for people and education, during the early 1900s. He was a noted psychologist who divided humanity by the six following attitudes: theoretical, utilitarian, aesthetic, social, individualistic, and traditional. He wrote several books including the major work Lebensforman (Types of Men). One of the major concepts Spranger believed in was the concept of genuine love in the classroom. Spranger noted “genuine education can only subsist in the element of love. [Love] creates an ambiance of affection” (Spranger, 1972, p.536). Love is a union between both the teacher and learner that allows for authentic education to occur. Mutuality is required for meaningful love to be present. When love is present, the learner can reach his or her full potential.
The concept of love possesses several characteristics of the transcendent teacher learner relationship. Transcendence is a mutual, authentic relationship between the teacher and learner. A teacher must demonstrate love to his or her students for genuine transcendence to occur. Both love and transcendence require mutuality from both the teacher and learner. Love demonstrates just one aspect of the transcendent relationship. Without the present of love, a transcendent relationship cannot occur. This concept of love by Spranger was developed before the philosophy of Transcendence by Dr. O'Hara.
The concept of love possesses several characteristics of the transcendent teacher learner relationship. Transcendence is a mutual, authentic relationship between the teacher and learner. A teacher must demonstrate love to his or her students for genuine transcendence to occur. Both love and transcendence require mutuality from both the teacher and learner. Love demonstrates just one aspect of the transcendent relationship. Without the present of love, a transcendent relationship cannot occur. This concept of love by Spranger was developed before the philosophy of Transcendence by Dr. O'Hara.
Our Take on Transcendence
LucianaTo reach a transcendence a teacher curriculum should inspire and motivate learners, intellectually and emotionally. This learning experience was implemented by my middle school teacher when she played a was a major role in my development and she did this through the writing process mainly writing poetry. Poetry had never been taught to me at such a deep level. I was so inspired to write and read poetry because of the way my teacher presented it to me. She transformed me. I was more conscious of the things around me, I was able to analyze and gain insight of philosophical ideas and new ways of description. My teacher gave us many interesting and deep poems to read, analyze, and discuss with the class. It awakened the human part of me expanding my intellect and quest for meaning. Being able to read, question, give my opinion and understand such poems gave me the ability to feel alive and form my own conclusion about existence and my purpose…my teacher never questioned our thoughts and our creativity, she was always open to what we believed the poem said. She made me feel nurtured and empowered because I could tell she wanted me to truly understand the material learn but most importantly because she cared about my personal welfare. With time I realized that the relationship that I had with her was transcendent because our interactions and dialogue was mutually loving, respectful, trusting, and developmental. We continue to maintain contact as we are Facebook friends. I hope to be able to transmit this feeling to my students and be able to have an honest and mutually growing relationship with them.
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CeciliaI have experienced a transcendent relationship with my 11th grade Pre-Calculus teacher Mr. Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez was a tough teacher. Math has never been my best subject. At the beginning of the class I was really struggling and Mr. Hernandez saw my struggles. Mr. Hernandez offered me after school tutoring. By the end of the course, Mr. Hernandez and I had a transcendent relationship. When I become a teacher I will be sure to create transcendent relationships with my students by first creating a safe classroom environment.
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MeganLove should be at the center of any teacher-learner relationship, or any deep and meaningful relationship, honestly. You cannot have great relationships without some level of love within them. I have personally always kept my teachers at an arm's length away from me, because that is what I thought the relationship should be. Even though I did this, there was one teacher in my high school who weaseled her way through and showed me what love between a teacher and a learner could be. She was there for me when I needed her to be, and gave me a safe place to escape during lunch when I was having a rough time in school. I do not think I have experienced this kind of love in a teacher relationship since, but it would be nice if I can accomplish this for the future learners who will happen to pass through my class.
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PatrickI did not experience a teacher-learner relationship with love until my freshmen year in college. My professor directed her effort and energy to the betterment of me. She saw my potential and ability, and took it upon herself to challenge me so that I could grow and gain a better understanding of my capabilities. I have a lot of respect for my professor, and if I did not trust her then I would not have been receptive to her ideas.
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An Example of Transcendence in the Media
This movie clip from Freedom Writers (2007) shows the love and compassion the teacher has for her students. The teacher and the students share a mutual relationship full of respect and honesty. The students are able to come to the teacher about personal problems without the fear of judgement. Also, the teacher personally selected books for each of the students that reminded her of them. This shows that the teacher cares about the student's personal interests and wants to make the curriculum relevant to the student.
