Navigating Layers of Care and Attention in Education : A comparative Analysis of Noddings and Weil in "The kindergarten Teacher" Sara Colangelo's Film(2018)

Abstract: This thesis focuses on the issue of attention based on Noddings and Weil's perspectives. Inaddition, it describes a fictional example for attention. The fictional example critically examinesthe benefits and potential risks of care and attention in modern education. It uses the 2018 film"The Kindergarten Teacher" as an example to explore the ethical boundaries of providing care andattention. The film revolves around a teacher named Lisa Spinelli, who becomes deeply involvedin nurturing a student's exceptional poetic talent. I examine Lisa's behavior using Nel Noddings'theory of care and Simone Weil's notion of attention. Applying these frameworks aims to assessLisa's motivations and actions and gain insight into her conduct.Noddings emphasizes that attention and caring develop in a relationship is a continuous process,not just a single moment. For the relationship to be strong, it must involve mutual responses fromboth parties. When a strong relationship with attention is established, it aids in the learning processespecially for students and children. However, for this relationship to be effective, it needs to bedeep and trustworthy, with responsive interactions. Noddings also suggests that "modeling","dialogue", "practice", and "confirmation" are essential components that teachers and parents canuse to enhance their students' or children's attention within their relationships.Simone Weil's conception of attention is selfless and others-focused. It involves putting asidepersonal goals to meet the needs of others. Weil introduces "impersonality" through solitude,where individuals suspend their sense of self for the collective. True attention requires thedisappearance of self and focuses beyond comprehension, like an act of prayer. Love and desireare crucial, fostering a willingness to be attentive and forget oneself. Weil explores attention's rolein pursuing truth, beauty, and goodness. It is crucial for making supreme efforts and should be theprimary focus of education. She emphasizes observing visual representations withoutinterpretation to gain understanding. Maintaining attention amidst conflicting desires andobligations is challenging. Weil suggests enduring and resisting negative desires while focusing onthe good and virtuous. Individuals can elevate the quality of their attention by detaching fromtemporal concerns. Ultimately, Weil presents attention as a transformative practice that leads tolove, genuine values, and a deeper understanding of the world.