Symbolizing their commitment to teaching, juniors at Boston University’s school of education last week staged a pinning and oath-taking ceremony for their chosen profession.
The event--similar to one widely observed by nursing students--was the first such public avowal of dedication by future educators, according to organizers.
The student-initiated ceremony was intended to “remind us how important and professional a teaching career is,” said Peter Greer, dean of the education school.
The 70 students, who will soon enter the classroom for their senior year of student teaching, recited an oath and were given pins donated by the School of Education Alumni Board.
The oath was written by Stephen Tigner, a professor of philosophy at the University of Toledo.
The ceremony “is an idea we would love to share with all the schools of education,” Mr. Greer added.
“I dedicate myself to the life of an educator, to laying the living foundations upon which successor generations must continue to build their lives.
I dedicate myself to the advancement of learning, for I know that without it our successors will lack both the vision and the power to build well.
I dedicate myself to the cultivation of character, for I know that humanity cannot flourish without courage, compassion, honesty, and trust.
I commit myself to the advancement of my own learning and to the cultivation of my own character, for I know that I must bear witness in my own life to the ideals that I have dedicated myself to promote in others.
In the presence of this gathering, I bind myself to this oath.”
--Boston University Educator’s Oath
I dedicate myself to the life of an educator,to laying the living foundations upon whichsuccessor generations must continueto build their lives.I dedicate myself to the advancement of learning,for I know that without it our successors will lackboth the vision and the power to build well.I dedicate myself to the cultivation of character,for I know that humanity cannot flourish withoutcourage, compassion, honesty, and trust.I commit myself to the advancementof my own learning and to the cultivationof my own character, for I know thatI must bear witness in my own life to the idealsthat I have dedicated myself to promote in others.In the presence of this gathering,I bind myself to this oath.--Boston University Educator’s Oath
