Korczakowska pedagogia w Domu Sierot na podstawie zapisków Róży Sternkac

Abstract

The article is based on an analysis of Róża Sternkac’s notebooks, which are a previously unused archival source from the history of the Orphans’ Home. On that basis, chosen examples of Korczak’s pedagogy being used in reference to various aspects of the functioning of Orphans’ Home have been identified. The examples, however, do not concern Korczak himself, but the notebooks’ author, mentored by Stefania Wilczyńska. The previously mentioned analysis allows us to trace the path of the young educator’s development. Starting with the struggle of the first pedagogical challenges, the path eventually leads to the formation of an attitude of effective action based on self-knowledge, understanding children, and work conditions. Another important factor is in-depth self-reflection, concerning not only one’s actions and emotional states, but also the sphere of values and institutional conditions. The article concludes with a proposal to broaden the understanding of the term “Korczak’s pedagogy” to the area of shaping young educators’ and pedagogues’ abilities to create their own, original pedagogy.