Design For Learning
Reflections
1. Fostering Effective Relationships
I have worked hard to foster positive, effective relationships with my students. I begin each of my practicums with a small slide show based on my life, then have the students also do a little write-up about their experiences that they can share either with just me or the entire class. I believe that this activity demonstrates empathy and a genuine caring for others. It allows the students to see me as not just their teacher but also as a normal person. This allows me to be on their level but also gives me the opportunity to gain their trust and respect.
3. Demonstrating a Professional Body of Knowledge
My last practicum allowed me the opportunity to focus on planning and designing learning activities that: address the learning outcomes outlined in programs of study; are varied, engaging and relevant to students. While I did complete this, I still have more work to do on ensuring that my lesson plans, supplementary materials and slides are engaging for students to buy into. I continue to strive for student buy-in to improve student engagement in my lessons.
2. Engaging in Career-Long Learning
During my education, I was fortunate enough to be able to engage in the honours program. In doing so, I chose an area of significant research to complete my honours thesis on. This area was looking at non-Indigenous educators and ways they could incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing, being and understanding into their classroom in order to combat systemic racism and meet the Truth and reconciliation Commissions calls to action and the Teaching Quality Standard 5. My thesis is an excellent example of engaging in life long career learning because it meets the seeking, critically reviewing and applying educational research to improve practice; and enhancing understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit worldviews, cultural beliefs, languages and values. It has allowed me the opportunity to research and understand the multiple ways I can as an educator create inclusive classroom spaces that are respectful, authentic, holistic and incorporate a non westrenized view of education for my students and my self.
4. Establishing Inclusive Learning Environments
In my EDUC 521 class, we had to choose an issue affecting students. My group chose to focus on Student suicides and was to combat the growing issue. We created a plan that included a school wellness fair that allows students opportunities to participate in mental health stations that encourage mental health wellness. Each station would have a teacher, a mental health professional and parent volunteers at it. The goal is to provide inclusive safe spaces for students to know that help is available if they need it. This wellness fair is an excellent example of being aware of and facilitating responses to the emotional and mental health needs of students. As mental health issues and suicide rates for teenagers are rising quickly in our society, I feel that it is important for parents, teachers and administrators to be aware and more active in prevention. By creating a community and school-wide awareness about mental health and suicide, we can collectively create a safe, inclusive space for students to go and get the help they require. Thus, combating the increasingly alarming teen suicide rates.