BY MAHDI

                          THE CRITICAL ROLE OF LOVE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

There's nothing like "ah ha" moments of learning and teaching. They are moments of deep exploration as our learning unites in a new understanding of the universe and of ourselves. For me my favourite teachers created those moments. They asked difficult questions, presented informative texts and promoted discussing emotions and ideas.They asked me directly and implicitly who I wanted to be, and how I wanted to contribute to the world. They exhibited a conviction that my learning would have meaning far beyond material mastery and elite college entry if they questioned and encouraged me.

I also see how it was a joint endeavour as I focus on the learning process that we participated in together. Years later, during the process, I can still remember their enthusiasm and the signals they learned right along with me. More than technical collaborations, those were. Their pedagogy was rooted in love, the love of "agape" characterised by a dedication to celebrating others' humanity.

Paulo Freire defined pedagogy in Pedagogy of the Oppressed as the dynamics of power among students , teachers, and subjects of study. He argued that the degree to which education oppresses or liberates dictates how this force is exercised in the classroom. He believed that all human beings had the capacity to learn about our infinitely complex universe and to teach about its special experiences.He also saw the collaborative process of integrating such skills as key to safeguarding these capabilities. Freire equated love relationships like these with learning.

Love is not often referred to as a central building block in rigorous educational environments. But both students and teachers identify with its significance. Ask someone about their life's most meaningful learning experiences, and they'll share a storey about a teacher's relationship. They can say of the efforts of that person to open them to new experiences, stimulate their reflection, and encourage them.They're going through the painful times. And if you listen closely, you can hear proof of the joy and satisfaction the teacher plays in their function. Such teachers take their place amongst the friends and family who form our sense of self and how we interact with the world — the people we love.