Teresa Spinelli : a feminine genius : a Christian feminist perspective of her life and work

Abstract

Research on the life of Teresa Spinelli has aimed to document her work as educator and foundress. Her life story as a woman, mother and teacher has never been read from a Christian feminist perspective. This dissertation reads Spinelli's experiences and thoughts about education from this perspective. It includes a critical reading of important experiences in her life to represent her as a Christian feminist and highlights the influence of St. Teresa d'Avila's thoughts about women and spirituality. The. dissertation also explores the formation of Spinelli's philosophy of education with particular focus on her ideas about the education of girls and women. The principles of a Christian feminist pedagogy are discussed in relation to Spinelli's vision of teaching. The Christian feminist aspect of this research is enhanced by allocating space for women teachers to voice their ideas about education, in particular their interpretation of Spinelli' s philosophy through their teaching experience in one of the (Maltese) schools run by the Congregation that she founded.