The philosophy of Gentle Teaching, and the culture of gentleness that we have created and embraced within the COR family is one like no other. Aspects of this philosophy had been emulated within my home growing up, loving and caring for a sibling on the autism spectrum – but it wasn’t until 2017 when I joined the COR family that I truly learned what impact our eyes, words, presence or touch could bring to both others and my life.

Gentle Teaching’s “focus is to strengthen the fabric of companionship and community for all those we serve – children, adults and families that are struggling with mental illness, experiencing disability, homelessness, addictions, and involvement with the criminal justice system” (McGee, 2010). This is something I would like to bring into my field of study, and use as a tool to make an impact in Indigenous communities with both my Indigenous Studies degree, and Bachelor of Social Work. When referring to the Truth and Reconciliation Agreement, and the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers code of ethics, the focus of Gentle Teaching, as worded from John McGee, align almost perfectly.

I want to be able to use my experience at COR, alongside my education to impact the lives of the people I serve in the future. A few years ago, COR put me in the U of R Professional Leadership Training. This single handily impacted my opinion of my job and played a large role in my returning to school.

We needed to come up with a central purpose for ourselves; mine read, “I will live my life in a harmonious and encouraging way, assisting both others and myself to push to our greatest potential while experiencing our greatest wonders.” I strongly believe that living my life to this standard, allows me to fully embody the philosophy of Gentle Teaching, the goals of the TRC, and the SASW code of ethics. All four of these “guidelines,” if you will, I would argue form a strong foundation, one that allows me to enrich myself, and my learning, but also help all of those I support or am to assist.

Lauren
COR family member