Category Archives: My educational philosophy

A Memorable Learning Experience

Reflecting on my time at school, I have had various memorable learning experiences in and out-with the classroom environment. One which I remember particularly well, was the way in which we were introduced to our new class topic – “The Bermuda Triangle. “

We entered the classroom after interval, to an audio playing on the loud speakers. Initially, I was very confused with what I was hearing, but as the audio continued facts began to arise and I started to make connections.

Despite the recording being muffled, I managed to decipher a conversation between a group of people. One man was feeding back to another on their whereabouts and how they had mysteriously been brought off course.  They were miles away from their planned route for no apparent reason and were beginning to become increasingly panicked as things started to go wrong with their controls. The language used and the dialogue unfolding made me think it was a conversation between people in the cockpit of an airplane and ground control staff.

I was immediately engaged in the lesson without the teacher having to say a thing. The audio came to an abrupt ending and there was an eerie ringing sound coming from one end of the line. Ground control repeatedly asked for any sort of response from the cockpit but they received nothing. This left us all completely engrossed and wanting to know more. After asking the teacher to re-play the clip, we discussed its’ content and our thoughts collectively as a class. Following this we were introduced to our new topic and my assumptions were confirmed as we were told this was in fact a real-life cockpit recording, taken just before Flight 19 crashed into the North Atlantic Ocean. The teacher then went onto discuss how we were going to be studying and investigating “The Bermuda Triangle.”

For me, this was a memorable and valuable learning experience as I was immediately engaged. The clip acted as a provocation and allowed me to embark on enquiry within the classroom. As a result of this I became actively involved in my own learning. Furthermore, it stimulated my curiosity and triggered my ability to make connections. Reflecting on this experience has made me realise the importance of provocation within the classroom. This is therefore something I would like to draw upon in future placements.

Reflection on the GTCS Standards for Provisional Registration

Link to Standards: http://www.gtcs.org.uk/web/files/the-standards/standards-for-registration-1212.pdf

The standards in Section 1 within the documentation in the link above is split into four categories:

  1. Social Justice
  2. Integrity
  3. Trust & Respect
  4. Professional Commitment

Despite each section being briefly summarised by bullet points in this documentation our workshop last week encouraged us to expand on these to fully understand the meaning behind each category.

Social Justice:

  • This section highlights how we should look at social backgrounds, different cultures and gender and try and achieve equality for all. As professionals we must not only implement equality but we should also promote this idea to our pupils. By making children aware of the importance of equality now we have more of a chance of having an inequality free world in the future.
  • Sustainability is also mentioned in this section. As teachers we must make a conscious effort to raise awareness of the importance of sustainability. This could include planning lessons on areas such as recycling and renewable energy in order to educate pupils on this topic.
  • Discrimination comes under this term too. This means that teachers should not be seen to be discriminating against any pupil in their class. If any sort of discrimination occurs between pupils it must be dealt with straight away.
  • Pupils need to be made aware of diversity under this area of the standards. Pupils need to understand that within society there are different groups of people. No one person is the same. It is important we explain this in an appropriate way in order to meet the standards.
  • An important aspect of this section is being able to teach in an unbiased manner. There are many controversial issues that may come up when teaching in the classroom but teachers must be neutral and explain all sides of the story. We want to enable pupils to create their own views and opinions without being influenced by their teacher.
  • This section also touches on how we must make children aware of the rights and responsibilities they hold. This may also include looking at the role they take in their local community and how they can improve this.

Integrity

  • “Demonstrating openness, honesty, courage and wisdom” is one of the bullet points under this heading. I think it is important to look at each word individually to cage what they mean in this context.

– Openness: It is vital that teachers make themselves approachable which will in turn hopefully eliminate pupils feeling intimidated. Teachers are not only there to teach but we are here to support pupils. Many may want to talk about issues that they feel they cannot bring up with their own family so being approachable will mean pupils feel comfortable with confiding in you.

– Honesty: This is key within teaching. Not is it only important to be honest with pupils and colleagues but it is also important to be honest with yourself. If a lesson clearly isn’t working and pupils are struggling you must admit to yourself that the way you taught the subject initially possibly isn’t right for your pupils. Going back to the drawing board and changing your outlook on the topic may be necessary but first we must be honest with ourselves and admit that we may have made the wrong decision.

– Courage: This means that we must stand up for what we believe in and not be intimidated by others opinions if we do not agree with them. Courage is important in teaching as it is easy to just go along with the crowd but if you feel something needs to be done, for example if a pupil needs more support and you feel like you cannot solely provide this you must speak up. Have confidence in your opinions.

– Wisdom: In my opinion wisdom is based around experience. It is my job to build my wisdom as I gain more experience in the profession. Although I may not be able to help the fact that I don’t have a great deal of experience in the classroom compared to others I can develop my knowledge by studying. Being knowledgeable on the curriculum and teaching styles will lead to greater wisdom. Furthermore it is vital to have a good sense of judgement.

  • We must critically examine our own beliefs under this heading. We need to question whether they are solid beliefs and whether there is a better approach that we need to adopt. We must also look at school values and whether they are efficient or whether they need to be altered. We need to constantly asses these areas to ensure we are doing the best for our classes.

Trust and Respect

  • The main focus of this section is implementing mutual respect between pupils and teachers.  This is vital when creating a positive working environment. The same can be said with colleagues. Working well with staff will set a good example to the children.
  • This section highlights how it is important to set boundaries within a classroom – some things are not appropriate to say or do in this environment and pupils must be aware of this. Teachers must state what is appropriate behaviour within the classroom so that pupils respect the rules.
  • Manners also come into play within this section. It is important that teachers implement manners from an early age. By using please and thank you this will show children how to respect one another which is a key lifeskill they must learn.
  • Safety must also be looked at. This may involve bringing up the issue of bullying and taking any forms of it that may arise seriously. As teachers we must also be aware of the physical boundaries within the classroom and continue to act professionally whatever the circumstance. Safety also includes openly talking about issues such as mental health and reporting any cases or signs you have seen that may suggest a pupil is suffering from health problems like this.

Personal Commitment

  • This section focuses on engagement. We must engage with pupils staff and extra-curricular activities. Enthusiasm must be shown in all areas of the curriculum and treat each area with the same amount of importance.
  • We must work as one with all the members of staff by supporting one another and treating each other with mutual respect. When working collaboratively we must put the child at the core and establish what is best for them.
  • We must commit ourselves to the whole profession, not just the educational part. Teaching isn’t simply about educating pupils, it is also about doing our best to shape them into good people. Teaching is about going the extra mile and not just doing the bare minimum.
  • We must be open to new opportunities and experiences that will enhance our professional development. We must be willing to learn throughout our profession and not stop simply because you gain your qualification.
  • We must furthermore be able to keep a good standard of professionalism in our leadership roles throughout our whole career. This involves: being on time, having plans for class, dress code, professional conduct, always being organised…

Overall I really enjoyed looking into the GTCS Standards for Provisional Registration in deeper context. At times it was hard to get my head around what each point meant but by taking my time and working through each one I was able to gain a deeper understanding of everything. I think it is important to constantly refer back to these during the next 4 years and after I qualify in order to become the best teacher I can be.

Professionalism Wordle

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Feedback

In my opinion feedback is an incredibly beneficial tool that if used well can work to everyone’s advantage. It is a two-way street which benefits both the receiver and the giver. Feedback is not only used in the classroom but it is used in day to day life.

We must all use feedback effectively!

I personally enjoyed giving and receiving feedback on the enquiring practitioner tutor directed task. I was able to learn where my strengths were within my post and also discover what I could alter to improve it. Along with this, reading others posts led to me gaining a deeper understanding on the topic area which has been very beneficial.

I am not an expert on giving feedback so initially I didn’t know where to start. I wanted to be useful to every writer and not only highlight areas of their post that were strong but also illuminate areas that could be developed. Feedback is only useful when it is honest. I did find it hard to tell people how they could improve their writing as lots of the posts I read were well-written. When this was the case I suggested other points the writer could bring up which also made me think about how to improve my own.

Throughout university we will all be given feedback in order to improve. This feedback will continue through our placement as we will learn how to improve our teaching styles and how to deal with situations in the correct way.

Feedback is essential within the teaching profession. We will need to provide not only positive but also constructive feedback to our pupils so they can develop their learning. Although it is important to give your thoughts on weaker areas of pupils work, we must also remember to give them praise where it is due as this will in turn build their self-esteem. This will then motivate pupils to do even better in their next piece of work as well as push them to achieve other set goals.

To conclude I believe that feedback is essential both as a student and qualified teacher.

What is professionalism?

The video ‘Professionalism (teachers say)’ on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ychgs3rrdA discusses different views on the professionalism of teachers. The documentary gives us an insight into the views of several teachers on what it means to be a professional. Although they don’t go into great detail on the subject matter I do agree with what they have to say. 

Miss Catherine Long begins the video by discussing how there is a need for a greater focus on the professionalism of teachers and how they are represented in today’s world. She later goes onto talk about the current demand for benchmarking how well students are doing which I do agree with. However as parents are becoming more knowledgeable on the current education system and how classrooms are run there is an increasing pressure on teachers to provide the best learning environment for every individual pupil. I think this highlights that parents today are becoming more involved in their child’s learning which in a way is a good thing but this does add pressure on teachers. There has been cases where parents are quick to blame the teacher if their child is not doing as well as they expected in a specific area of the curriculum. This scenario illuminates the need for teachers to act in a professional manner to deal with the situation correctly.

Mrs Nursen Chemmi is the next teacher featured in this video. She raises the view that teachers are role models which I could not agree with more. Being a role model for pupils to me is a crucial part of professionalism. Children are easily influenced especially at the primary school age and as a teacher we are one of the main adults in their life so we should be setting a good example from the beginning. By acting professionally and displaying good morals we are automatically setting an example to pupils which they will hopefully adopt. In acting in this manner we are teaching children how to become well-rounded, responsible citizens which is a very important part of professionalism.

Mrs Colleen Walsh begins to talk about the changes that she has seen in education over the past 30 years. She underlines the point that it is vital we do not judge children because of their upbringing or the area in which they live in. We have to understand as a professional that children come from a range of different areas with differing family incomes, morals and opportunities. As a professional our job is to give all of these children an equal chance at learning and support them in every way possible.

This video on professionalism has certainly made me think about what it is to be a professional. I think each teacher takes a different outlook on professionalism but it is clear that they collectively share the same view in that they all want to do their best for their pupils which I think is a key part of professionalism.

 

What makes a teacher who makes a difference

The video titled ‘What makes a teacher who makes a difference’ on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U58EFAwnKpw covered a variety of thoughts on the matter of professionalism.

The video highlights the need for teachers to maintain a high level of professionalism in order to complete their job successfully eg. assisting and helping children to learn. The video makes a comparison between teachers and nurses by illustrating that a lack of professionalism leads to a breakdown in the working environment and therefore the job cannot be completed effectively. Where nurses risk people’s lives by being unprofessional, teachers risk the futures of students and pupils.

The video also focuses on the individual views of a group of teachers. It discusses which attributes are required to excel in the role of a teacher who makes a difference. The first skill mentioned is the importance of teamwork. I agree with this statement as I feel that in order to create an effective and positive learning environment teamwork must be used. According to the second teacher, teachers must be approachable by both pupils and their families as well as the community. This is vital in creating a good relationship with children and their parents and will minimise the risk of any conflict arising. The third teacher highlights the importance of loving your job. I too believe in this idea as how can you possibly be able to effectively do your job without having a passion for it. By being passionate this will in turn inspire your pupils. Dedication is another factor that is key in being a teacher. A teacher must be dedicated to providing the best education for their pupils. In addition to this sacrifice is also necessary. Teaching isn’t just a 9-5 job, there is a great deal more to it. For example planning lessons is a time consuming task which may eat into your free time however it is necessary and is required if you want to be that teacher who makes a difference. We all know it is nice to be fun in the classroom but a degree of discipline is necessary. Children need discipline in their lives in order to develop as individuals and develop an understanding of what is right and what is wrong.

The video then goes onto discuss three teachers who have gone the extra mile in their profession:

Teacher 1: The first of the three teachers illustrates the commitment to education within her local community. She worked within adult language classes  and thus aided the attendants of her class with life requirements such as paying bills and filling out essential forms. I feel that this dedication and commitment to her local community is a well developed and professional aspect of her teaching as she helps others create a strong “can do” attitude by helping them to gain confidence in completing allocated tasks. This not only makes her exceptional as a teacher but also a strong role model to her younger pupils who will in turn recognise the importance of going the extra mile for others.

Teacher 2: The second teachers shows an understanding of her need to improve in her mathematic ability in order to continue to effectively educate her pupils as the curriculum in which they work in evolves and develops. I feel that self awareness is key as a teacher as experience in a classroom may be a crucial element in becoming a great teacher but ultimately it is not enough when it comes to being well equipped for teaching learning students and pupils. Over the years I have heard the expression that “everyday is a school day” and I feel that this couldn’t be more true. Yes, teachers teach the pupils but it is not only the pupils that are required to learn. To be that teacher that who makes a difference it is so important that we can recognise the areas in which we ourselves must develop.

Teacher 3: The third teacher shows the importance of a good relationship with the people who work around you. I feel that she acts as a catalyst for success within the working environment as she encourages and helps her colleagues to develop confidence in their job position. This sense of leadership in the way of looking out for others is a strong aspect in her willingness to go the extra mile as she supports her fellow teachers and helps establish a working environment that will consistently go under positive and effective change.

Finally, it is clear to see that the teachers in the video have all gone out of their way to make a difference in their profession. I agree that simply acting in a “textbook” fashion is not enough to become an outstanding teacher. Going beyond the everyday expectations is what shows dedication and skill within the job and I feel that this is where I want to excel. I want to continue to learn as I teach, I want to inspire and help those around me and I want to be an effective leader within my working environment. Ultimately, I want to be that teacher who makes a difference.

My professional focuses

There are a range of values which need to be applied in the teaching profession but I have chosen 5 that that I would regard as the most important to me.

Patience:  Firstly I feel that patience is a crucial element of teaching. Working with children is job commonly stereotyped as being stressful due to having to deal with what seems like menial and irritating issues. However, this is a misconception often made by people with a lack of patience themselves. Children learn best when they are taught effectively and some children are going to both take longer to learn certain aspects of their curriculum but will also often not perform well in certain areas. It is important to remain patient and help children like this just as every other child in the class should be shown how to complete a task regardless of the time it takes them. This insures that the child learns and thus by remaining patient a teacher is able to succeed in completing their job, assisting with and helping the child learn.

Respect:   Respect needs to be present in a variety of areas in the life and work of a professional teacher. It is vital for teachers to respect their pupils and their differences to create a happy learning environment. By exercising high levels of respect the relationship between teacher and pupil can be improved considerably. It is also incredibly important to maintain respect for colleagues, parents and those whom we may work with from time to time for example with social work. We do have to bear in mind that respect is not the same as obedience. A child may obey you due to your temperament. However if they respect you, they will in turn obey you because they know you have their best interests at heart.        

Fairness:   Fairness is not only in the classroom but also in the child’s development and confidence. It’s important that when dealing with situations that the teacher must take all aspects into account and I understand that at times this may be difficult. In regards to work in the classroom all of the children must be given the chance to excel in parts of the curriculum that they show strong ability in. This can be shown by having allocated ability groups in the class. However, not only the strongest group can be focused on. A fair teacher will treat all groups equally. Providing the appropriate assistance to everyone who requires it regardless of how skilled they may already be. This insures fairness in the aspect of learning. Fairness however exceeds being only in the classroom. In regards to more social issues. Disagreements between pupils, for example, are an important area where teachers must be fair. Both sides must be heard with additional information from third parties (eg. Their friends) So to provide a fair and justified response to the issue. This is an effective way of handling situations and by doing this a lesson can also be shown to the children by in turn also teaching them about an aspect of fairness. Thus a fair teacher not only best helps children to learn but also provides knowledge for life.

Compassion:  In my opinion compassion is one of the key qualities a teacher should possess. How is it possible for pupils to enjoy learning and actively engage in various activities when a teacher lacks compassion? If teachers incorporate compassion into their work it will undoubtably result in positive growth  and development within their pupils. Not only is it important for teachers to have a compassionate outlook but schools in general need to adopt this. Working to create a compassionate school will support the needs of pupils and their families which is key to making education successful. Compassion is so important in a child’s education – it is hard to learn unless you are comfortable. It is multiple times better when you feel supported and know that the people teaching you want to teach for your benefit.   

Honesty:    The saying ‘honesty is the best policy’ is very fitting for the teaching profession. I think as teachers we need to accept that nobody is perfect and we all have our flaws. Everyone is susceptible to making mistakes and when these occur we have to be honest with our pupils. Being honest can lead to building strong relationships with pupils furthermore making you an aspiring role model in a child’s life. Furthermore being honest with children in the classroom  will have a knock on affect and allow pupils to realise the importance of this attribute in day to day life.                              

 

 

Why teaching is for me

Becoming a primary teacher has always been in the back of my mind from the age of 4 when I began primary school myself. Looking back on it now I must have bored my friends and little brother to tears constantly wanting to play teacher and pupils – my favourite and preferred role being the teacher.

Despite enjoying this game it is surprisingly not the main reason why I wanted to qualify in this profession. Ever since I left primary school I’ve had various experiences working with children including volunteering at Rainbows, helping out at local primary schools and working at a kids club and nursery. All of the above have led to me being 100% certain that this is the career for me. As a teacher you can impart knowledge and experiences which allow children to make a better future for themselves. I genuinely can’t think of anything more worthwhile and fulfilling than being able to help children develop and learn skills that they will use for the rest of their lives.

Despite knowing that I wanted to become a teacher I still questioned whether I had all the attributes and skills that were required for the job. I know it may be a more stereotypical skill that teachers are deemed to need but being organised is a key part of the job and for me it is a part of my everyday life. I love being organised – put me in a ‘Paperchase’ store and I’m in heaven.

Another essential part of teaching is being punctual and reliable. The idea of these two positive traits were drilled into me from a young age – having a mum as a secondary teacher meant I knew the importance of them and the consequences of not fulfilling them. I did give into my friends a couple of times during sixth year though.  I will never forget that overwhelming feeling of guilt skipping class to go for a McDonalds or to go get our nails done before the senior dance. Never again! I didn’t get any enjoyment out of it because I knew I was doing wrong. It was a mistake and I take full responsibility for making the wrong decision. We grow up being told that we learn from our mistakes and it’s true. I don’t want to be a teacher to prevent children from making mistakes because they are a part of life. Teaching isn’t about that. Teaching is about making children recognise where they have struggled and then assisting them to get back on their feet with a better understanding and appreciation for the mistakes they have made. We learn by mistakes, life is full of mistakes.

Take being late for school. Punctuality isn’t something that everyone is excellent at. Applying it to a teaching environment I imagine a child being consistently late to school. To punish them for this without ever explaining why it is wrong is not an effective way to help the child learn. Saying “Because I say so” is very unlikely to stop them from doing it. It will not resolve the problem but applying a bit of life experience and explanation to why being late is wrong is a better action to take. This is the kind of teacher that I aspire to be. I want to be able to teach children and help them develop and learn by leading them to do what is right and being a role model. If I wanted to simply tell someone that they were doing wrong without explanation or suggestion on how they can develop to do better then I can’t imagine that teaching would be the profession I am so passionate about. I want to be a teacher. I want to teach. I don’t want to be a person with authority who dictates right from wrong. We live in a world now where we are more politically correct and there’s more equality and moral justice. I want to teach children not only in a way that teaches skills like literacy, maths and science but also in a way that provides skills for life and the best way to grow up in the 21st century.

When people ask the infamous question “Why do you want to be a teacher” the first thing that pops into my head is how much I enjoy working with children and I know that seems generic but it is true. I wish I could give you a more complex answer but passion is the deciding factor for me. The thought of becoming a teacher excites me, it honestly is as simple as that.