Stirring the heart: a pedagogy of the soul in teacher formation

This paper was created to be part of a festschrift and reflects on the enduring influence of Professor John Sullivan's pioneering work on teacher formation. Professor Sullivan’s lifelong contribution is marked by original scholarship, uncommon courage and an unwavering passion that has, in a whole range of ways, influenced the professional journeys of many scholars, including my own. In particular, he has been a voice that is uncompromising in identifying and calling out the gap between what is delivered in formation and what is needed; in the conflicting contexts between the ‘system (church) world’ and the ‘life (teacher) world’. Acknowledging and addressing this gap is the key to the development and delivery of authentic contemporary formation of teachers that has credibility, impact and a transformative trajectory. In giving honour to the substance and the influence of John’s work, this chapter is divided into three parts: In the first section, after defining what is broadly understood by the term ‘teacher formation’ itself, John’s work is intentionally positioned within the landscape of key theorists and practitioners who have been and are influential in the field of the formation of educators. The second section gives detail to the defining elements of John’s approach within this landscape. The final section outlines a response, building on John’s work, that highlights the embedding of spiritual formation in contemporary faith-based systems of schools.