Search Institute

I taught a class last night at the University of Minnesota around the general topic of “spirituality in the classroom.” As usual, it’s always a joy to be around college students who are eager to debate, discuss, and engage. We had some interesting conversation.

I started the class by asking them to list their favorite song, movie, book, band, person in the world, and k-12 teacher. And by favorite, I meant “important.” Not their favorite song they have right now, but the one they’d like played at their funeral. THAT kind of important.

Then I had them look at that list and see if they could create a common denominator amongst the separate items. The answers were enlightening. Here’s a sample of some of the connecting themes:

• struggle


• compassion


• a sense of connectedness to something bigger


• general “awesomeness”

The elements of their lives and these significant educators shared the ability to clarify the commonness of the human experience and were elemental in their own personal development. The answers hearkened to that deeper sense of importance that comes with teaching. Perhaps it’s a question of “soul.”

We talked about the fact that overt “spirituality” in the classroom is not only risky, it might be a misplaced use of energy. But we did agree that “soulfulness,” that ability to connect learning to a bigger human experience and sense of connection between people should be at the center of education. Certainly as the students reflected on their own favorite teachers, they saw a common thread of educators who were able to expand education far beyond test preparation or basic academic achievement.

One of the students talked about the need for teachers and students to be present and in the moment. We talked about how little of education is ever about the present. Teachers are mindful of upcoming tests. Students are planning for their next year of school or their future. Teachers are leading from one unit to the next. Students are looking forward to prom. Whatever the case, there is always something next, leaving little room for the luxury of being in the moment.

But it was those educators who were able to transcend that constant forward motion and allow themselves and their students to ponder BIG questions and have BIG ideas that had the most lasting affect.

Whether those are spiritual teachers or not, they’re clearly soulful educators. Educators who are able to take the risk, the time, and the bold leap into this soulful space are the ones who will be cited forever by their students as the real difference makers.