|
|||
 |
 |
Program in Religious Studies and Education |
|
|
|
PRSE Alumnus ProfileAndy Housiaux
On the other hand, while a student in the PRSE, the 25-year-old put in a full academic year of teaching—first as a student teacher of ninth-grade world history in fall 2004 and then as a full-time substitute teacher for another ninth-grade world history class in spring 2005. He has also worked with Upward Bound students as an undergraduate at Columbia University, taught at a boarding school for Buddhist nuns in Nepal, and served as a proctor for one of Harvard's undergraduate residences. For Andy, who finds teaching a "real joy," education—both as teacher and as student—often boils down to a series of questions. "What are we teaching for?" he asks. "I want to think about it—I don't know if factual content should be the main emphasis, because students are going to forget the content. So what are we educating for? What's worth teaching? These questions really interest me." The Wisconsin native is equally passionate about Asian religions and languages (he speaks Tibetan and studied it, as well as Sanskrit, at Harvard) and about comparative religion, which he incorporated into his world history curriculum. Before enrolling at HDS, Andy traveled for a year in Nepal, India, and Tibet, at one point living in a Buddhist monastery studying Buddhist education and pedagogy. His next steps may include a return to a monastic context, this time in the abbey of one of his mentors in Washington, where he hopes to continue thinking about learning and Buddhist teachings, as well as help with day-to-day operations. He is also considering more study in India. But even with such options, Andy is strongly considering a return to Lexington High School in the years ahead. "I had a great time with my kids. There were some very remarkable students," he says. Posted July 2005
|
|
Andy Housiaux doesn't know how teaching high school will figure in his next few years.
 |
|
|
Copyright 2008 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. |