Authentic Being

The driver, “Authentic Being,” refers to the commitment to drawing out the deep spirit and creative expression of children in schools. It involves teachers and faculty modeling their own authenticity and curiosity to encourage students to express, explore, and connect to spirit. The driver, “Authentic Being,” speaks to practices and values that a school community must uphold to protect a child’s ability and comfort to be present authentically and spiritually. It also speaks to the view that every child has the right to express themselves authentically because they are sacred as humans. This shared value contributes to the cultivation of strong, meaningful relationships that are fostered as a result of Authentic Being. 

Example: 

1.  At a school where "Authentic Being" is a core value, the community explicitly affirms that "children are sacred," ensuring that every student feels respected and valued for their true selves. Each morning, teachers and staff gather with students to remind them of their inherent worth and encourage authentic expression. Teachers model their authenticity by sharing personal stories and vulnerabilities, fostering an environment where students feel safe to explore and express their identities. In classrooms, students are encouraged to create work that reflects their emotions, experiences, and dreams, with emphasis on personal expression rather than perfection. This practice strengthens meaningful relationships between students and staff, as both groups engage authentically with one another. By affirming the sacredness of every child, the school cultivates a spiritually supportive culture where students are empowered to show up fully as their true selves.

Authentic Being connects to…. 

1. Practices that support students to be open in their spiritual and creative sharing and creation

2. Practices that encourage an augmented form of awareness 

3. Genuine expression of being 

4. Loving and accepting students as they are

5. Care for both the individual and the community 

Authentic Being is not….

1. Pushing students to believe or express in a way that doesn’t align with their identity 

2. Justification for expressions or behaviors that intentionally harm other sacred beings
   

Example: 

1. A school counselor builds relationships with students outside of the specific allotted time they are in meetings with students. Rather, it’s having ongoing conversations with students that demonstrate a genuine interest in their lives, perspectives, and ideas, and showing these students that you are their ally. 

Transformative Relationships are…. 

1. Meaningful, deep, and cultivate an experience of being known and seen

2. Authentic and rooted in mutual connection and trust

Transformative Relationships are not…. 

1. Transactional or solely centered around academics, curriculum, or discipline

2. Limited to faculty and students, but also extends to all relationships within a school community 

3. Authoritarian