Category Archives: Contemporary issues

Standing up for justice; standing up for our children.

I sit and write this blog after one of the most thought provoking discussions so far in my university journey. One in which we were discussing theories such as the Montessori, Owen and Frobel perspectives on education. Each being primarily child-centre focused and broadening on aspects of children thriving on their own initiative and creativity.

It has been a week since I attended the Scottish Learning Festival in Glasgow. Amongst many very interesting seminars, I was particularly hooked on an inspiring talk on the “Play in Primary One” perspective of Canal View Primary School in Edinburgh, a school which has benefited from Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) due to increasing poverty surrounding the area and high levels in the SIMD indicators for deprivation.

After finding that a change had to be made into the dynamics of their early years classroom, Canal View completely replenished their existing timetable. It enabled them to create a more active learning environment in which the children, like the views of the practitoners in the opening paragraph expressed, could thrive in and build on their own learning. This was enforced by employing extra members of staff through PEF, including a child psychologist, an early years practitioner and a speech therapist.

What they then found, was that their stats on both numeracy and literacy rose significantly within just a year of their new practice. What they found to be a key aspect of this change was more collaboratively encouraging continuous dialogue within the classroom, having planned and purposeful play (waiting til children were READY for phonics, reading and writing) and stripping certain things back to basics, for example, teaching children skills such as listening.

Standardised scores from Canal View after one year of new programme.

Vocabulary pie charts over one year at Canal View.

They did find some difficulties within this however. It took a lot of time and not just within the planning of this, but to get the parents on board with the new ideas. They expressed to sustain the high levels of achievement, they would need two new members of staff for the following year. This they could do with PEF.

Now what striked me today, during the lecture on these practitioners was, are we really getting it right for every child? Yes, you could argue that Canal View is a prime example of a wonderful success story. But could it have been achieved without the increasing staff numbers and the funding available? Why is it not compulsory for us as teachers to have access to these professionals and other specialists in order for our children to have the best learning experience?

Robert Owens in his theory stressed that creative subjects are key to improving health, education, well being and rights of the working class. He used those subjects in his system to relieve stress and when minds became fatigued, he would engage in these subjects with pupils to expose them to physical exercise and music.

When I came to Dundee from Orkney I was surprised that there were next to no specialist teachers in the classroom. From somebody who had achieved great things through music, art, PE and drama at school, I couldn’t understand how a child would thrive in any environment without these subjects. I am thankful to have an interest in these subjects and feel (with practice) I could expose my students to these key subjects in good detail. The same cannot be said for all teachers however. Having specialist creative arts and technology teachers provides our children with enriching experiences that can benefit them in not just the classroom but in their lifelong learning.

In a recent survey, Education Scotland (2013) said that the general consensus of creative skills amongst teachers were as follows:

” Although most staff are familiar with the interrelated skills within the revised Bloom’s Taxonomy, there is general agreement that understanding of the creative process and associated
creativity skills as distinct concepts needs to be enhanced across education sectors,
so that their particular characteristics can be developed for the benefit of children
and young people.”

What I feel strongly about is that specialist teachers are crucial to a child’s development. It was shown in Canal View to make an incredible difference to not just the children’s creative skills, but their all round skill levels, including numeracy and literacy. I feel that to remove this from schools is a major injustice to our children in Scotland and it will be interesting to see how this changes in the future.

Standing up, speaking out and supporting our children in their journey through school – if it can make a difference to some schools, we must ensure this is happening in the rest of Scotland.

Reference:

Education Scotland (2013), Creativity Across Learning 3-18, Livingston: Education Scotland

Memorable Classes in School – The Creative Arts

Throughout my time at school (both in primary and secondary), the most memorable classes for me were ones that emphasised on skills primarily used in the creative arts. Be this cutting cardboard with Stanley knives to make human sized dinosaurs or presenting wall posters describing Orkney’s role in World War 2. My favourite experience at school however was when I played Rizzo in Grease!

Yes back in 2014, I got the chance to play one of my least favourite characters (yes you heard right…LEAST favourite) in my world of musicals. The real story behind this was how I grew to love her through learning about who the real character was behind the attitude and how I apply and think about this in my every day life.

My drama and music teachers were my most influential and inspirational teachers at school. They saw my potential as a learner and encouraged me (and others in the class) to think outside of the box in everything that we did. Be that both within and outwith the classroom.

When the news came out that we were doing Grease as our school show I was ecstatic. Our teachers prepared us for auditions by doing extra script readings after school (they did this so often and I realise now how much that helped so many of us through our time at school) and song sessions at lunchtime. As we became familiar with the script, I despised Rizzo’s character more. I had never played such a saucy, sarcastic and tough character in my life?! No way would I be auditioning for that part.

2 weeks later and my hopes of playing Sandy were quashed…I had got the part of Rizzo..

What followed however, through many rehearsals, tears and tantrums, was a love for a character that I had only ever had once before (Nancy in Oliver!). You see, despite the tough and arrogant persona that Rizzo flaunted, there was a certain vulnerability to her that I had never considered before. My teachers had encouraged me through means of messages in song to see beyond the outside version of a person.

This particularly hit me emotionally when I sang “There are Worse Things I Could Do.” The words and power behind the music really got me to contrast the previously stubborn Rizzo into a sense of sorrow and relent on her previous behaviours.

The show was a real hit in the community which was great and we ended up raising around £10,000 for the school. What I think was important about this particular time in my life was realising the importance of never judging a book by its cover, and it was my teachers, whilst encouraging me to pursue the role, that made me realise that.

Baby Steps, Big Dreams: Journey to my mental health recovery

So I haven’t posted in a while (a year and a half ago eek!) but I have been taking time to blog on my own personal life. Truth is, this year really hasn’t been easy and to know I have made it through and to still be at university is a blessing.

A lot has changed since the last time I blogged, especially as last year I was diagnosed with depression.

I had always been prone to problems related to anxiety but it had never really dawned on me that depression would be the root cause of how I was feeling. After placement last year, I struggled a lot. I was ill for the first week with continuous bouts of tonsillitis. It was only when I got home in summer that things really started to go downhill. I was so lethargic and I didn’t really manage to get out of bed to work. From someone who was so sociable, smiley and friendly, I became tired, overly emotional and a recluse. The point I am trying to make is mental health issues do not discriminate and what I have learned from this is to never judge a book by its cover.

I knew that things weren’t okay, I just didn’t have the motivation or energy to do anything about it. It actually ended up being family members that spoke to me about it as they were extremely worried about my well-being. I am speaking about this on such an open forum, not for sympathy, but to share my story in the hope that others can relate and not feel isolated in what they are going through.

Furthermore, I have created an Instagram account (@babystepsbigdreams) and started up my own website (https://gemharcus.wixsite.com/babystepsbigdreams) to share my own personal experience with depression and to document my road to recovery.

The response has been incredible so far with folk from all over messaging me in with their stories of recovery. I want to be as positive an influence I can on a topic that affects so many people. I also feel that opening up the forum in Orkney is what’s been needed for a long time. To feel like I am not alone for the first time in years has truly helped me in so many ways, but as well, it has helped others to not feel alone either. That was the sole purpose of why I wanted to go public with my story. I do not want it to define me because I know, with the help and support that I have received that I will get there, in time. I have a lot of aims that I have made recently and one of them is to make sure that I take care of myself more. Not get stressed over little things, let things go and not be so hard on myself.

However things haven’t all been doom and gloom! For one, I can definitely take some positives from my experience but also…

I GOT ACCEPTED FOR CAMP CANADA!!!

Something I never ever thought I would achieve! So the camp I am heading to is Camp Kennebec and it is for kids and teens with special needs, learning disabilities, and developmental delays including autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, ADD, Down Syndrome, OCD, brain injury, anxiety, social skill and other challenges. This is going to be such a special experience for me and I honestly can’t explain how excited I am to go! New challenges, conquering fears and having fun are all up on the tick list!

The message I want to send out today is its okay to not be okay, its okay to take time out for yourself and I cannot stress the importance enough of having good, supportive people around you. Little things like organizing your room, getting up and getting out and seeing friends is all part of getting through each day. Its the little things in life that count. Without the support system I’ve had from both the university and outwith, I don’t know where I would be. Everything takes time and it won’t happen overnight. Do what you need to make your life yours again and to make yourself feel like you ♥

The view from my new flat for next year – onwards and upwards!

My next post is going to be reflecting on my feelings surrounding our brand new Education and Social Work society, which is now up and running! I was fortunate to be voted in as president for this year so I look forward to writing up about it all soon!

So for now, lots of love and take care,

Gemma ♥

“Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

When I was younger, primary 5 age to be exact, I had a really influential teacher who taught me my first understandings of segregation and racism, particularly at the time of Martin Luther King Jr’s existence. It was a time, the first time, that I saw the harrowing, poignant image of the Ku Klux Klan. I distinctly remember having nightmares for weeks. I mean yes, some feel that I was too young to see those images, however, the story and message behind it, made a huge impact on why I feel so strongly against not only the historic treatment of black people, but how they are being treated currently….in the 21st century.

What particularly hit me during the Values lecture on Tuesday, was the case of Emmett Till. A young, innocent 14 year old boy, out with his cousins in the state of Mississippi. After allegations that he “whistled at and touched” a women’s hand, her partner and her brother took Emmett away from his home, savagely beat up, shot and killed him. His body was then wrapped in barbed wire and tossed into a nearby river. Why? Because he was black. Did they get jailed for it? No. They were let away free. Despite the overwhelming amount of evidence. However, it was the decision his mother took that made the case go down in American history.

“I said I want the world to see this because, there is no way I could tell this story and give them the visual picture of what my son looked like,” Mobley said.

At Emmett’s funeral, his mother decided to expose his body in an open lid coffin, so that the people of the country could see the damage the men had done to Emmett, to the point that it made him almost unrecognizable. This devastating image created an outrage across the globe and sparked the beginning of a Civil Rights movement. It was said that when Rosa Parks iconically refused to give up her seat on the bus, it was because she saw Till’s face in her mind and she knew then that it was the right thing to do.

But have we really moved forward?!….Yes, it could be argued that it’s not at the extent it used to be, e.g we can all use the same bathrooms now. However, each week we see more and more unarmed, black men and women (particularly men) shot and hurt/killed by the American police force. Los Angeles Police Department for example, “To Protect and to serve” – at least that’s their slogan. Second highest in a ratings poll for shooting unarmed citizens. 73% of which were black. (Calculated by mappingpoliceviolence.org).

Alton Sterling. Trayvon Martin. Sandra Bland. Keith Lamont Scott. Philando Castile.

Remember those names?

I was also shocked into reality when I decided to watch a documentary by the BBC on the modern day Ku Klux Klan. The haunting image of the soulless, white spear on top of the blank figure. The image that took me back to my primary 5 self. The image that left me tense, terrified and tearful. An organisation that I just assumed had grown out. How ignorant I was. Young children, younger than 3 I would say, saluting to the racist, barbaric, malevolent culture that is the KKK.

Children. Innocent children.

I remembered the thoughts in my head as a child, what had these people done wrong for this organisation to act so violently against them? I am still, frustratingly, asking myself the same question now as I sit here writing this blog. I also sit and I think about those who live in fear. Scared to go out their door every morning. The fear of the unknown. “Am I going to get stopped and killed as I drive my child to school?”

I think, as teachers, we have a duty to teach as much about equality, respect and fairness that we can in the classroom. Learn to respect not only those around us, but those outwith the classroom environment. It is vital to practice this and hope that in return, although it may be a small change, that we can take baby steps towards a more positive, fair and equal society.

“I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.”

– Martin Luther King Jr

“I Have a Dream” speech, at the Lincoln Memorial, 28th August 1963

#BlackLivesMatter

Our first values workshop: Experiencing inequality and how it effected the group

On Tuesday, we had our first of the values workshops. For this, we were split into 4 groups. I, unaware of what was to come, was put into group 4. All four groups were handed an envelope, that included items in which we had to use to make a resource for freshers coming into the university that they may find useful. In our envelope, we had an elastic band, one post-it note and a pencil. That was it. Immediately ideas started circling round the table. A map? A game? What could we possibly do with these extremely limited resources?!

As a group we started discussing what we could have benefitted from when we first arrived at uni. For me, it was simple: people to speak to and become friends with. This was something I seriously struggled with when I first came to university. What we discovered while discussing topics was that: a) Every other group had more resources than us and b) they were getting far more encouragement from Carrie than what we were. This (despite knowing it was an exercise of some sort) disheartened the group. It also made us question if what we were doing was correct.

In the end, despite the lack of supplies, we had created two (pretty genius, if I don’t say so myself) inventions for freshers to use when they first come to university, using a combination of experiences and contributions from within the group. The first was a map, using the envelope, post-it and pencil, displaying what building each lecture would be in for our course. The second was a friendship bracelet. The idea would be that the bracelet would be placed on the chair next to you in a lecture, so someone potentially feeling the same way, or just wants to sit with you, would know that you’re looking to meet new people. Both of these ideas seemed well received from the groups, but Carrie gave us no support or encouragement throughout the presentation. Again, we questioned our motives; had we completely lost the point?! As the rest of the groups presented, she showed a variety of interest. It was noticeable that it increased from group 4 up to group 1 to which it came across that she loved their idea.

The message behind this workshop was that despite lack of resources in an environment, a childs’ social background, ability, race or even what kind of socks they chose to wear that day, everyone has the right to being treated equally and with respect. It raised a whole range of issues, from social divisions to being appreciated in society for being who you are. What I also took from it, was that to always trust your instinct. As we received next to no encouragement, we started to doubt our own, perfectly valid judgements. I found it, overall, a very interesting and beneficial workshop.