Journey Facilitator (Metaphoric Framework)

A JOURNEY FACILITATOR (Abstract For Vaka Project Book)

As we approach the shore,

The Journey Facilitator adjusts their compass,

With the deep knowing of a continued journey ahead.

As they bid farewell to some, they welcome others,

Supporting pathfinders on their grand journeys,

Nurturing and fostering their dreams anew,

One's own voyage forever evolving.

This teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that every student embarks on a unique and personal journey of growth and discovery. Just as no two people share the same life path, no two students follow identical academic journeys. As an educator, I see myself not merely as a teacher but as a 'journey facilitator,' tasked with the responsibility of nurturing the individual voyage of each student who enters my classroom. This philosophy is deeply rooted in the understanding that every learner possesses distinct strengths, challenges, and aspirations.

Imagine a classroom as a sturdy vessel navigating the vast seas. At the beginning of each year, students step aboard, much like passengers embarking on a grand voyage. They bring with them unique backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations, akin to travellers, with their own destinations in mind. As they journey through the year, they absorb knowledge, gain skills, and chart their future course, just as passengers engage with the wonders of the open sea, witnessing new horizons with each passing day.

However, when the year draws to a close, they disembark, much like travellers reaching their destinations. But here lies the heart of the matter—just as a voyage's purpose extends beyond the moment one steps off the ship, a student's educational journey continues long after they leave the classroom. And, like the captain of a ship, the journey facilitator's role transcends the immediate voyage, as they remain steadfast in their commitment to nurturing the ongoing and unique journeys of each new student, just as the captain does with every new passenger that steps onto their ship.

Figure 1 - Spiritfarer Video Game Early Ship

This teaching philosophy can be understood to be much like Stella's boat from the video game Spiritfarer, and is comprised of three main approaches. Throughout the game, the boat sees many different kinds of passengers, from all walks of life, much like a classroom and students, with some being more open than others.

As a journey facilitator, it is not ones responsibility to ensure that all passengers (students) end up at the same destination, but at their own destination, with some reaching their destination earlier or later than others, depending on where they are starting from, and the support and guidance they are looking for along the way.

During the game, the boat continues to grow, and shrink, catering to the unique needs of whoever is on board at the time. Just as this is the case, the journey facilitator ensures that their classroom and resources are flexible and uniquely catered to each of the students, ensuring that they are in the best possible position to path find their own unique journey.

Figure 2 - Spiritfarer Video Game Built Up Ship

As mentioned above, there are three main approaches that come together to create the journey facilitator teaching philosophy, they are all required to work in harmony to achieve the desired result. These include: