Values Workshop Reflection

From taking part in the Values Workshop this benefited me and my understanding of teaching in many ways. The group that I was in were representing the more privileged children within the classroom, and this was shown by being given the best and most resources to complete the required task. Due to excitement and focus on the task, our group did not even realise that we had been given the most resources in comparison to the rest of the group. This made me realise that this relates to the way more privileged children see things within the classroom. For example, the would not think twice about having a nice pencil case and classroom resources which were given to them by people at home, whereas less privileged children may not have this option as they could possibly not have people that can afford it for them, or they are a victim of child neglect.

The other groups however did notice that they were given less resources than our group and realised they had to make do with what they were given. In fact, our group actually had lots of resources left over that the other groups would have appreciated much more to be able to have them. However, when it came to the point where we needed to present our ideas we began to notice what was going on. Our group was first to show, in which the lecturer was very happy and supportive of us. Then as the other groups began to show, it became more clear that the other groups did not have the same things that we had, and they were also not receiving the same amount of support from the lecturer that we were.

The main message I feel that I took from this workshop is that children need to be given equal opportunities and given the amount of support needed so that they can achieve their own full potential. For example some children may need additional support in comparison to others, and its not that every ingle child should be expected to achieve things all at the same level, but to achieve as much as they can themselves.

Why I Chose to Teach

I truly believe that a primary education is one of the most important tools a child can obtain that will help them throughout their entire life. From having such an impactful teacher in primary school myself, I was able to understand just how much they can affect a child’s learning journey. The thought of being able to have such an impact on young people’s lives myself extremely motivates me and is the reason that I feel this is the right path for me.

Ever since being in primary school myself, I always wanted to help out at everything I could, and that has certainly not changed throughout the years. From helping my primary teacher coach my netball team back in primary five, to now going around the primary schools myself to take my own sports classes, delivering assemblies to my peers in my role of Depute Head Girl, running school clubs after school for younger pupils and winning the ‘Young Leader of the Year Award’, I definitely feel these have all increased my desire to teach.

I feel that I have the true passion and essential qualities to work towards the exciting adventure of teaching and I would love to experience the feeling of knowing I have made a real difference in a child’s life.

Welcome to your WordPress eportfolio

Welcome to your ePortfolio. This is where you will document and share your professional thoughts and experiences over the course of your study at the University of Dundee and beyond that when you begin teaching. You have the control over what you want to make public and what you would rather keep on a password protected page.

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Teacher, Lorraine Lapthorne conducts her class in the Grade Two room at the Drouin State School, Drouin, Victoria

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