Journeys of two children from West to East: Notes of a Teacher-Parent

Authors

• Katherine E. Khan Dr, Batchelor Institute of Tertiary EducationFollow

Submission Type

Special Issue (Contemplative K-12 Classroom for Wisdom and Peace)

Abstract

This essay, explores the transformative educational journeys of two children across five countries, viewed through the dual lens of a teacher and parent. Grounded in the principles of Contemplative Education (CE), it draws on over two decades of the author’s experience in global education, weaving personal and professional insights into a narrative that examines how context, culture, and pedagogy intersect in shaping young learners.

The journey begins in the inquiry-rich, nature-based kindergartens of Germany and the nurturing early primary years of the United Kingdom, moves through the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary and Middle Years Programmes, and Big Picture education in Australia, navigates the high-stakes academic culture of South Korea, and culminates in the values-driven, mindfulness-infused approach of an IB school in Thailand. Along the way, the essay interrogates recurring themes of displacement and belonging, wisdom versus intelligence, linguistic and cultural transitions, and the dissonance between inner growth and external achievement.

Through this lived experience, the essay reflects on how educational paradigms can either constrain or nurture the inner life of a child. It argues for a more expansive application of CE; one that moves beyond surface-level mindfulness practices to embrace a deeper integration of reflection, relational presence, and ethical awareness within educational ecosystems. By situating CE within culturally rooted, emotionally intelligent, and spiritually grounded practices, this essay offers a vision of education that supports not only academic development but also social and emotional growth. In doing so, it returns to the core promise of CE: to rehumanize education through attention, compassion, and care.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Khan, Katherine E. Dr (2026) "Journeys of two children from West to East: Notes of a Teacher-Parent," Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education: Vol. 3: Iss. 2, Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25035/jche.03.02.10
Available at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/jche/vol3/iss2/10