This is the first of a series of articles on the nature and spirit of Catholic education, by Michael Bennett, formerly of Savio Salesian College, Bootle, and now Deputy Head at De La Salle, Liverpool. Above: pupils from Savio performing a passion play in 2017

My name is Michael and I am a teacher!

Sounds like the start to an AA meeting.

Yet what I should say is that my name is Michael and I am a Catholic teacher. I could go on … a Catholic teacher in the Salesian and Lasallian tradition, who sees his vocation to serve and minister to youngsters in areas of socio-economic deprivation.

So what? Why tell us this you might say? Well, I believe in teaching through the eye of' love', or more specifically 'agape'. Teaching, I believe, involves a form of kenosis, self-emptying; to teach is to empty oneself of ego, to do only what is best for young people. This I call the pedagogy of love. Let's explore.

Taking an historical methodology, let's first look at some of the most sublime words ever put down: Let there be light. I feel the creation accounts of Genesis are the ideal way to outline what I see is the essence of teaching, for it is cosmic kenosis, the divine self-emptying of the singular universal spirit in material reality. Not only does the divine truth reveal itself in matter, but it does so in a way that inspires the authors of Genesis to say: it was good! The spiritual master, Richard Rohr, states that five times in the creation narrative creation was described as good; and the creation of humanity was 'very good'. Good, as the Lord breathed the spirit of life in to human creation so that we could enter into the divine dance. The creator gave us the gift of living and being in God's own image, combining our spirit and matter as one divine spark in the universe.

What is the connection to teaching? The role of a teacher is to enter into the divine dance by emptying themselves of anything that does not seek the highest good for their pupils. The teacher must look at their pupils through the eyes of Genesis and say 'they are good', indeed 'they are very good'. In this way, the whole pedagogical vision is one which seeks to see the pupil as a unique, creative, intelligent and wholesome human, made in the image of the creator. The role of the teacher is to strike up the band so that his or her pupils can enter into the divine dance.

For the majority of my teaching life I have chosen to teach in areas of poverty. That makes me neither a 'saint' nor a 'fool'. It simply means I feel that is where the Lord wants me to be. My prayer is: You be the bow and I will be the arrow. Thank God, the arrow has always landed where it has. The massive pressures teaching in such circumstances bring can easily lead one to see the children as anything but made in the image of God! I have heard children referred to as 'nutters', 'animals' and 'mad'! This simply not true: they are God's children, made in the divine image. This is where kenosis must come in. Teachers must constantly empty themselves of such negativity, but more importantly, they must help their pupils to do the same. And this can only be achieved through a pedagogy of love. Van Morrison in the Madame George sings 'the loves that loves to love, that loves to love.' The teacher, through their ministry of love, opens the heart of the child to love in return.

I am reminded of the wisdom of Don Bosco who said something along these lines: when a child loves the teacher, they will love what the teacher loves. When the pedagogue looks at the child through the eyes of agapeic love, this will be caught by the child, who will in turn love what their teacher loves. This is the pedagogy of love.

Stepping back into scripture, one of my favourite passages comes from John: 'for God so loved the cosmos He sent His only Son.' For God 'so loved' … utterly awesome. For I believe that God so loved 'me' and all those who teach, that we were sent to teach the young. For as Don Bosco points out, if you want to do something holy, teach the young. Teaching through love is state of being; it requires a consciousness which affirms the young people every day. It is a self-giving act that imitates the selfless act of love by the creator. The teacher helps to create minds and hearts that can fill the world, able to reach their true potential. To love your children is to want the best for them. To want the best requires giving the best. Late nights, extra lessons, days out, residentials, planning, marking; yet most of all, loving. For as St Paul says, 'Love is . . .' you know the rest . This is exactly what I mean by a pedagogy of love! This cannot be taught, well at least I have never seen it done. Yet it can be caught! Why has the Lasallian order lasted over 300 years and the Salesians not far behind? Quite simply, it's because those who walk in their founders' footsteps have caught the pedagogy of love.

In the Christ Hymn, Philippians 2: 6-11, St Paul says that Christ emptied himself and assumed the role of a servant. To serve through teaching using the pedagogy of love is to truly serve! To constantly put the needs of the pupils first. To see the pupils as co-creators, who will enter into the learning journey when they are loved! Those who know me know I am a tough teacher! I am strict! I expect the very best! Why? Because I love the pupils. Sometimes this is tough love. Yet, love all the same.

Ofsted inspections and reports come and go. Generally they crucify the schools who serve the poor. Here is my advice to those like me who face this national humiliation: let it go! Empty yourself of it. Hold steadfast to the vocation to teach through love. Remember why you are teaching in your situation: it is to create young people who can reach the highest level of achievement when they are loved and supported in doing so.

So, my name is Michael and I am a Catholic teacher who loves his pupils, so that they may they love themselves and experience their own dignity.

Michael Bennett