Ubuntu

“Neuroscientists do agree: humans and their brains and minds are shaped, and normally function, in continuous interaction with other people. “

Kujala, M. V. Brain Basis Of Human Social Interaction: From Concepts To Brain Imaging.Physiological Reviews, 89,453-479. Retrieved June 2,2014.

Throughout history, people in different civilizations borrowed different ideas, innovations, and practices then added to them which helped them shape their identities, improve their lives and build up better communities. In a world of self-centered beings, building a community of ubuntu became of a paramount importance nowadays. According to  Stephen Lundin: “Ubuntu is a philosophy that considers the success of the group above that of the individual.”

Moreover, the South African Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu describes Ubuntu as:
“It is the essence of being human. It speaks of the fact that my humanity is caught up and is inextricably bound up in yours. I am human because I belong. It speaks about wholeness, it speaks about compassion. A person with Ubuntu is welcoming, hospitable, warm and generous, willing to share. Such people are open and available to others, willing to be vulnerable, affirming of others, do not feel threatened that others are able and good, for they have a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that they belong in a greater whole… The quality of Ubuntu gives people resilience, enabling them to survive and emerge still human despite all efforts to dehumanize them.”
Tutu, D. (1999). No future without forgiveness.

So ….
I have created this blog with the aspiration of creating a community of human beings sharing the passion and determination to improve their society and benefit others. Believing that teachers should not exclusively be good sources of the subjects they teach and that creativity – as Steve Jobs said- is connecting things from different fields together, I designed this blog for teachers to include various categories ranging from professional development to life-related topics.

The blog will contain videos to watch, articles to read, opinions to comment on, websites to visit, and a weekly column for you to contribute to the blog with anything you would like to share with other users. I am already excited about it … Let’s build up our community of Ubuntu … But remember your comments are the pillars of the blog.

Blog Creator:

Sally Abdel Hady — A teacher with a range of experiences in teaching different ages and subjects, trying to leave a positive impact on the students I teach, interested in putting educational theories into practice and reflecting on them, and lately searching for solutions for the problems of education.