Our philosophy

Duhovka is an original, lively and open educational system ranging from pre-school to adulthood. It is based on a multilingual and multicultural environment and modern philosophical principles.

1.  We believe that there is a treasure hidden in every person. We know how to discover and nurture it.

a.   We approach the children without prejudice towards their abilities and potential. We know how to draw a line and begin again, always offering the child a fresh start.
b.   We realize that a child’s current ability may have absolutely nothing to do with a future ability.  
c.    Everyone has the chance to find inside all that is worth developing. We support this process, by creating an environment of respect and space for individual progress.
d.   We support and develop the confidence of all students’ and staff.
e.   Our teaching philosophy enables the child to continue in their natural path of learning, as we build from their current knowledge base upward, bridging all areas of the curriculum.
f.     We never judge a person, rather respond to gain insight and understand a person’s particular actions.
g.   You can share with others only that which you have.  This idea encourages our staff to embrace ongoing learning, welcoming growth and expansion in our own lives.

 
2.  We know what the children, the parents, the teachers and the state want. We also know how to satisfy and cohere those needs.

a.   The needs of children, parents, teachers and all persons involved in the learning process are pivotal. Therefore, we constantly review and update our support systems to meet those needs.
b.   We create an environment where everyone is encouraged and able to communicate his or her needs.
c.    We support the faculty in teaching to their strengths, being individuals and experiencing a successful career needs.
d.   Cooperation among children is greatly important to us. When things are not running smoothly we consider the possibility that it is us who need to change.
e.   The liberated man knows his limits and limitations and is aware of his current abilities. We have clear rules and we expect everyone in the school system to respect them.
f.     We guarantee to fulfill the state educational requirements, which we supplement with Duhovka’s own goals.
g.   We are always considering the elements of recent pedagogical, psychological and philosophical research from all over the world and applying them to our system.
h.   With every new student we confirm whether their and their parents’ needs and expectations are compatible with our principles.

 
3.  We feel that to believe and to support is more beneficial than to direct and supervise. We are guides on the path to a contented and successful life.

a.    We build the relationships in Duhovka on trust and mutual support and we always strive to improve them.
b.    We employ a broad variety of tools to support the child and adults‘ thirst for continual learning and discovering the world around and inside of us.
c.    We understand the role of a teacher as a guide, who realizes that the path to  goals and the  joy of discovering them is left up to the child.
d.    We respect that each of us has our own path to a contented and successful life.
e.    We support the growth of unique and strong personalities who are able to create respectful interpersonal relationships.
f.      We develop a system of simple rules, which give the same rights to everyone, both inside and outside of the classroom. Through an interactive role in class management, the children realize that rules are useful and sometimes necessary.
g.    We try to influence the children in a complex way. We know that for a contented and successful life they need not only knowledge and skills but also a fully developed personality.
h.    We take advantage of our cultural and social differences to support the children’s emotional intelligence and to enrich their personality and the system as a whole.


4.  We understand education as cooperation, which develops critical thinking and increases the ability to be content and successful in any environment.

a.    We do not attempt to provide any universal truths to the children. Instead, we support their ability to find relevance in a world full of information.
b.    We greet each child where they are in their own individual development.
c.    A child is not a container to simply pour knowledge into, but a competent individual who is only truly motivated to change from the inside.
d.    An ideal result of the learning process is not only knowledge, but also the ability to learn independently and with joy.
e.    We develop the ability to cooperate with others on reaching our goals, yet we support assertiveness.
f.      We understand learning as a spontaneous and continuous human activity – children want and need to get to know the world around them through real life experiences.
g.    We learn through a dialogue, through sharing different thoughts and opinions, through originality and the ability to state one’s ideas.
h.    We teach to understand the world comprehensively, to analyze information and refuse to accept manipulation.
i.      Children and teachers are partners who pursue a common goal. The teacher is a guide who helps, supports, encourages and facilitates.
j.      Every person is his or her own greatest expert and teacher.