Gisèle De Smedt (assistant teacher)

What inspires you to be an assistant teacher?
What inspires me is seeing students gradually develop their own style. In the beginning, it is easy to become so focused on learning the methodologies that you lose sight of what comes naturally to you. I enjoy helping students use those methodologies as a foundation while finding their own way of working with them.

What gives me energy is helping people turn insight into action. I like connecting ideas to practical application in a way that feels authentic to the person in front of me.

At the ACC, I experienced how valuable it is when someone sees both your potential and your blind spots, while still meeting you with warmth and honesty. Being able to do that for others now feels like a very natural next step.

About me
I have worked in HR for over 10 years, mostly in international and global corporate environments. In that work, I supported leaders and employees through change, growth, conflict, and complex people dynamics.

I have always been deeply interested in psychology, human behaviour, and trying to understand people more deeply. My own personal development played an important role in leading me towards counselling and coaching. It deepened my belief that insight, support, and a safe reflective space can genuinely change how people relate to themselves and others.

I feel grateful for the support, care, and learning I have been able to access in my own life. Being able to offer some of that back to others feels like a meaningful way to give back.

Why have you chosen the ACC and what did the training bring you?
I chose the ACC because the programme felt comprehensive, structured, and serious in its approach. I was looking for a training with depth, solid theory, in-person class days, client practice, and supervision. Being able to follow the programme in English and combine it with work also made it practically possible for me at the time.

The training deepened my understanding of myself and gave language and structure to things I had often done intuitively. It reinforced the importance of leading with curiosity and trusting that people often carry their own answers.

I also value the wider learning environment the ACC offers. The structure, teachers, supervision, and peer learning have all contributed to my development. My experience as an assistant teacher across both the foundational programme and its more in-depth second year has added another layer to that. It allows me to continue learning while supporting students in their own process.

Who is my hero and why?
My father.

One of the many things I admire about him is that he showed me strength and emotional openness can coexist. He taught me that you can be caring, sensitive, and deeply human while remaining grounded and holding healthy boundaries.

He has overcome a great deal in his life, yet consistently chose kindness, growth, and respect over becoming hardened by adversity. He leads by example rather than words alone. Many of the values and phrases I still carry with me today come from him.

He taught me things like: “You are not less than anyone, but you are not more than anyone either.” To me, that reflects both humility and self-respect. It remains one of the foundations of how I move through life and relationships.